Responses of hypothalamic and pituitary mRNA to physical and psychological stress in the rat

in Journal of Endocrinology
Authors:
M. S. Harbuz
Search for other papers by M. S. Harbuz in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
and
S. L. Lightman
Search for other papers by S. L. Lightman in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access
Rent on DeepDyve

Sign up for journal news

ABSTRACT

In-situ hybridization histochemistry was used to measure corticotrophin-releasing factor mRNA and proenkephalin A mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA in the anterior pituitary of the rat. Levels of message were determined at 1, 2, 4 and 8 h after exposure to a variety of physical and psychological stresses. Corticotrophin-releasing factor mRNA in the PVN and POMC mRNA in the anterior pituitary increased in response to i.p. hypertonic saline, restraint and swim stress but not to cold stress. Proenkephalin A mRNA was raised only in response to the physical stress of i.p. injection of hypertonic saline. These results suggest that different afferent pathways and hypothalamic neurotransmitters may be involved in mediating the hypothalamic response to different physical and psychological stresses.

Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 122, 705–711

 

  • Collapse
  • Expand