Eur J Anat, 2 (3): 159-165 (1998)
Testosterone enhances the NADPH-diaphorase staining in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
F. Sánchez1,2, M.L. Herrera1, M.T. Pérez1,M.A. Pérez1,G. Vázquez1, J.L. Gutiérrez1, M.N. Moreno3 and R.Vázquez1,2
1.-Department of Human Anatomy and Histology. Faculty ot Medicine. Campus Unamuno. E-37007 Salamanca, Spain.
2.-Neuroscience Institute. Faculty of Medicine. Campus Unamuno. E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
3.-Department of Computing. Faculty of Sciences. Plaza de la Merced s/n. University of Salamanca. E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
ABSTRACT SUMMARYNitric oxide is involved in mechanisms which underlie neuroendocrine events in reproduc tion. Since gonadal steroids have profound effects on reproductive function, it is of interest ro examine whether nitric oxide synthase acti vity is altered by gonadal steroid hormones in specific nuclei of the hypothalamus. In the para ventricular nucleus of the hypothalarnus, chan ges of nitric oxide synthase/NAOPH-diaphorase staining have been shown to occur after an important number of experimental conditions. Basecl on previous studies demonstrating that NAOPH-diaphorase activity in the paraventricu lar nucleus of the hypothalamus is modulated by estradiol, a possible anclrogen influence on this activity was ínvestígated in the neuronal populations (magno- and parvicellular) of this nucleus. Cryostat sections were cut and proces sed for the histochemícal cletection of the NAOPH-cliaphorase activity. Following orchi-"dectomy (14 days), numerical data displayed adecrease in the number of NAOPH-neurons, especially in the posterior magnocellular and the medial parvicellular subdívisions (p < 0.05), which was reversed after daily treatrnent with testosterone. These data indica te that paraven tricular NAOPH-diaphorase neurons are influen ced by testosterone.
Keywords: Testosterone - Nitric oxide synthase
- Hypothalamus - Neuroendocrine - Rat.
European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)