Biomaterial Database

Stimulation of tubero-infundibular dopamine neurones and gonadotrophin secretion. 1971

P J Keller, and W Lichtensteiger

1. In ovariectomized rats pre-treated with oestrogen and progesterone, the intensity of the catecholamine fluorescence was determined by micro-fluorimetry in the cell bodies of the tubero-infundibular dopamine neurones (situated in the arcuate and periventricular hypothalamic nuclei). The concentrations of follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum and pituitary were estimated by bio-assay.2. The characteristic changes in fluorescence intensity of the tuberal catecholamine-containing nerve cell group that are induced by unilateral intermittent electrical stimulation of the arcuate nucleus or of the medial preoptic area during 5-60 min, were accompanied by a marked rise in serum LH concentration. With arcuate stimulation, the rise in serum LH paralleled the increase in the fluorescence intensity of the nerve cell bodies, whereas with preoptic stimulation, the initial increase in cellular fluorescence intensity preceded the rise in serum LH. Preoptic stimulation also caused a moderate fall in pituitary LH which was simultaneous with the increase in fluorescence intensity. No systematic changes in FSH concentration were observed during the time interval studied.3. Pre-treatment with the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor alpha-methyltyrosine completely blocked the increase in fluorescence intensity caused by electrical stimulation of the arcuate nucleus but did not prevent the rise in serum LH.4. It is concluded that the tubero-infundibular dopamine neurones serve as an intermediary between the medial preoptic area (and possibly other forebrain structures) and neurones containing releasing factors. Under the present experimental conditions, stimulation of the tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurones increased the release of LH, probably by promoting the release of LH-releasing factor.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007031	Hypothalamus	Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE.	Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D007986	Luteinizing Hormone	A major gonadotropin secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Luteinizing hormone regulates steroid production by the interstitial cells of the TESTIS and the OVARY. The preovulatory LUTEINIZING HORMONE surge in females induces OVULATION, and subsequent LUTEINIZATION of the follicle. LUTEINIZING HORMONE consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity.	ICSH (Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone),Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone,LH (Luteinizing Hormone),Lutropin,Luteoziman,Luteozyman,Hormone, Interstitial Cell-Stimulating,Hormone, Luteinizing,Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone
D008781	Methyltyrosines	A group of compounds that are methyl derivatives of the amino acid TYROSINE.
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010902	Pituitary Gland	A small, unpaired gland situated in the SELLA TURCICA. It is connected to the HYPOTHALAMUS by a short stalk which is called the INFUNDIBULUM.	Hypophysis,Hypothalamus, Infundibular,Infundibular Stalk,Infundibular Stem,Infundibulum (Hypophysis),Infundibulum, Hypophyseal,Pituitary Stalk,Hypophyseal Infundibulum,Hypophyseal Stalk,Hypophysis Cerebri,Infundibulum,Cerebri, Hypophysis,Cerebrus, Hypophysis,Gland, Pituitary,Glands, Pituitary,Hypophyseal Stalks,Hypophyses,Hypophysis Cerebrus,Infundibular Hypothalamus,Infundibular Stalks,Infundibulums,Pituitary Glands,Pituitary Stalks,Stalk, Hypophyseal,Stalk, Infundibular,Stalks, Hypophyseal,Stalks, Infundibular
D010906	Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones	Peptides, natural or synthetic, that stimulate the release of PITUITARY HORMONES. They were first isolated from the extracts of the HYPOTHALAMUS; MEDIAN EMINENCE; PITUITARY STALK; and NEUROHYPOPHYSIS. In addition, some hypophysiotropic hormones control pituitary cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and hormone synthesis. Some can act on more than one pituitary hormone.	Hormones, Pituitary Hormone Releasing,Hypophysiotropic Hormones,Hypothalamic Hypophysiotropic Hormone,Hypothalamic Releasing Factor,Hypothalamic Releasing Hormone,Hypothalamic Releasing Hormones,Hormone, Hypothalamic Hypophysiotropic,Hormones, Hypophysiotropic,Hypophysiotropic Hormone, Hypothalamic,Pituitary Hormone Releasing Hormones,Releasing Hormone, Hypothalamic
D011374	Progesterone	The major progestational steroid that is secreted primarily by the CORPUS LUTEUM and the PLACENTA. Progesterone acts on the UTERUS, the MAMMARY GLANDS and the BRAIN. It is required in EMBRYO IMPLANTATION; PREGNANCY maintenance, and the development of mammary tissue for MILK production. Progesterone, converted from PREGNENOLONE, also serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of GONADAL STEROID HORMONES and adrenal CORTICOSTEROIDS.	Pregnenedione,Progesterone, (13 alpha,17 alpha)-(+-)-Isomer,Progesterone, (17 alpha)-Isomer,Progesterone, (9 beta,10 alpha)-Isomer
D002369	Castration	Surgical removal or artificial destruction of gonads.	Gonadectomy,Castrations,Gonadectomies
D002395	Catecholamines	A general class of ortho-dihydroxyphenylalkylamines derived from TYROSINE.	Catecholamine,Sympathin,Sympathins
D004298	Dopamine	One of the catecholamine NEUROTRANSMITTERS in the brain. It is derived from TYROSINE and is the precursor to NOREPINEPHRINE and EPINEPHRINE. Dopamine is a major transmitter in the extrapyramidal system of the brain, and important in regulating movement. A family of receptors (RECEPTORS, DOPAMINE) mediate its action.	Hydroxytyramine,3,4-Dihydroxyphenethylamine,4-(2-Aminoethyl)-1,2-benzenediol,Dopamine Hydrochloride,Intropin,3,4 Dihydroxyphenethylamine,Hydrochloride, Dopamine