Excitatory effects of oxytocin and cholecystokinin on oxytocin neurones: differences between virgin, pregnant and lactating rats

Extracellular recordings were made from supraoptic oxytocin (OT) neurones in rat brain slices to investigate the effect of reproductive state on their excitation by OT and cholecystokinin (CCK). Stable background activity was induced by local glutamate application, and OT neurones were identified by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuroscience letters 2003-11, Vol.351 (1), p.13-16
Main Authors: Carter, S.J., Richardson, C.M., Wakerley, J.B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action Potentials
Adaptations
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Brain - cytology
Brain - drug effects
Brain - physiology
Cholecystokinin
Cholecystokinin - pharmacology
Cholecystokinin - physiology
Excitatory responses
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hormone metabolism and regulation
In Vitro Techniques
Lactation - drug effects
Lactation - physiology
Neurons - drug effects
Neurons - metabolism
Neurons - physiology
Oxytocin
Oxytocin - pharmacology
Oxytocin - physiology
Oxytocinergic neurones
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Animal - drug effects
Pregnancy, Animal - physiology
Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Reproductive state
Sexual Behavior, Animal - drug effects
Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology
Vertebrates: reproduction
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Summary:Extracellular recordings were made from supraoptic oxytocin (OT) neurones in rat brain slices to investigate the effect of reproductive state on their excitation by OT and cholecystokinin (CCK). Stable background activity was induced by local glutamate application, and OT neurones were identified by their continuous firing and opioid inhibition. The excitatory effect of OT (indicated by percentage neurones excited, peak increment in firing, and response magnitude) was maximal in lactating rats, intermediate in virgin, and lowest in pregnant animals. Excitation by CCK was high in both lactating and virgin rats but, as with OT tests, was minimal in the pregnant group. These adaptations in the responses to OT and CCK may help to ensure that the firing of OT neurones is appropriately regulated to meet changing demands for OT release.
ISSN:0304-3940
1872-7972
DOI:10.1016/S0304-3940(03)00913-3