Intervention with the mother-infant relationship reduces cell proliferation in the Locus Coeruleus of female rat pups.

The (LC) is a noradrenergic nucleus involved in several neuroendocrine and behavioral functions. During the neonatal period, the LC is critical for olfactory learning. Full development occurs during the early postnatal period.

Celiac plexus block: an anatomical study and simulation using computed tomography.

Objective: To analyze anatomical variations associated with celiac plexus complex by means of computed tomography simulation, assessing the risk for organ injury as the transcrural technique is utilized.

Materials And Methods: One hundred eight transaxial computed tomography images of abdomen were analyzed. The aortic-vertebral, celiac trunk (CeT)-vertebral, CeT-aortic and celiac-aortic-vertebral topographical relationships were recorded.

Plastic changes induced by neonatal handling in the hypothalamus of female rats.

Early-life events can exert profound long-lasting effects on several behaviors such as fear/anxiety, sexual activity, stress responses and reproductive functions. Present study aimed to examine the effects of neonatal handling on the volume and number of cells in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (pPVN, parvocellular and mPVN, magnocellular regions) and the supraoptic nucleus (SON) in female rats at 11 and 90 days of age. Moreover, in the same areas, immunohistochemistry for oxytocin (OT) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were analyzed in the adult animals.

Effects of oxytocin microinjected into the central amygdaloid nucleus and bed nucleus of stria terminalis on maternal aggressive behavior in rats.

The central effect of oxytocin (OT) on the aggressive behavior of lactating rats was studied. Female rats are more aggressive than nonlactating resident females, vigorously attacking conspecific intruder male or females. This behavior is considered important for pup protection against infanticide.