Lesions of the ventral striatum mimic the effect of olfactory bulbectomy to prevent short photoperiod-induced testicular regression in golden hamsters

• Published in: Brain research 1996-06, Vol.723 (1), p.148-153
• Main Authors: Gomez, Diana M., Newman, Sarah Winans, Pieper, David R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amygdala - injuries; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cricetinae; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gonadotropin; Gonadotropins - metabolism; Hormone metabolism and regulation; Luteinizing Hormone - metabolism; Male; Mammalian male genital system; Olfactory Bulb - physiology; Olfactory pathway; Olfactory Pathways - physiology; Olfactory tubercle; Reproduction; Testis - physiology; Testosterone; Testosterone - metabolism; Ventral striatum; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 0006-8993; 1872-6240
• DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(96)00234-X

Bilateral olfactory bulbectomy (BX) or bilateral transection of the rostral lateral olfactory tract (LOT) at the level of the anterior olfactory nucleus markedly increases gonadotropin secretion and prevents the testicular regression associated with maintenance on short photoperiod in golden hamsters. In an effort to further elucidate the neural tracts involved in this influence on gonadotropin secretion, lesions were placed in several potential pathways. Hamsters underwent sham surgery (SH), bilateral BX, or electrolytic or radiofrequency lesions of the: medial nucleus of the amygdala (MeX) caudal LOT just rostral to the medial nucleus of the amygdala (LOTX); or ventral striatum (VSX). Lesions were either bilateral or unilateral with contralateral olfactory bulbectomy. All animals were then placed on short photoperiod (LD 10:14) for 10 weeks and testicular size and body weight were assessed at weekly intervals. Lesion placement was assessed in brain sections stained with cresyl violet and animals with misplaced lesions were excluded. The following represent the number of animals in each group undergoing testicular regression in response to short photoperiod: SH: 32/35; BX: 8/31 ( P < 0.01vs. SH); MeX: 5/5; caudal LOTX: 8/9 and VSX: 3/8 ( P < 0.05vs. SH). Serum LH, FSH and testosterone at the end of the study correlated with the testicular regression data. These results suggest that the tonic inhibitory effect of the olfactory bulbs on gonadotropin secretion is mediated by fibers that exit the LOT rostral to the amygdala and project medially, either passing through or synapsing in the ventral striatum.