Sexually dimorphic neuronal inputs to the neuroendocrine dopaminergic system governing prolactin release.

ABSTRACT: Prolactin (PRL) is a pleiotropic hormone that was identified in the context of maternal care and its release from the anterior pituitary is primarily controlled by neuroendocrine dopaminergic (NEDA) neurones of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. The sexually dimorphic nature of PRL physiology and associated behaviours is evident in mammals, even though the number and density of NEDA neurones is reported as not being sexually dimorphic in rats. However, the underlying circuits controlling NEDA neuronal activity and subsequent PRL release are largely uncharacterised. Thus, we mapped whole-brain monosynaptic NEDA inputs in male and female mice. Accordingly, we employed a rabies virus based monosynaptic tracing system capable of retrogradely mapping inputs into genetically defined neuron

SUBMITTER: Esteves FF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6851580 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature