Novel developmental specificity in the nervous system of transgenic animals expressing growth hormone fusion genes.

The development of methods for introducing foreign genes into the germ line of mice provides an approach for studying mechanisms underlying inducible and developmental gene regulation. Transgenic animals expressing foreign genes have thus been used to test models of the role played by specific DNA sequences in determining cell-specific expression. Results from these experiments suggest that tissue-specific expression is the consequence of a cis-acting regulatory sequence.

The cytoarchitecture, histochemistry and projections of the tuberomammillary nucleus in the rat.

The normal morphology, efferent projections and possible neurotransmitter content of neurons in the tuberomammillary nucleus (caudal magnocellular nuclei of Bleier et al.) [Bleier, Cohn and Siggelkow (1979) In Anatomy of the Hypothalamus, Vol. 1, pp.

Reversal of the sexually dimorphic distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive fibers in the medial preoptic nucleus by treatment with perinatal androgen.

The effect of perinatal androgen exposure on the sexually dimorphic distribution of serotonin (5-HT)-immunoreactive fibers in the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) of the rat was evaluated with an indirect immunohistochemical method. Female animals treated with testosterone propionate (TP) perinatally, postnatally or with oil vehicle alone were gonadectomized as adults and the 5-HT fiber distributions compared with those of intact male and female animals. In the adult female rat, the TP treatments resulted in a significant masculinization of both the 5-HT-stained fiber distribution and the sexually dimorphic cytoarchitectonic features of the MPN.

The distribution of angiotensin II-immunoreactive cells and fibers in the paraventriculo-hypophysial system of the rat.

Angiotensin II (AII)-immunoreactive cell bodies were found in all parts of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) in the normal, colchicine-treated rat. The greatest concentration of cells was found in the posterior part of the magnocellular division of the nucleus, while scattered cells were found in all 5 parts of the parvocellular division. In comparison, the Brattleboro rat showed similar cell staining in parvocellular parts of the PVH, although a substantial decrease in the number of AII-stained cells was found in the magnocellular division.

Anatomical evidence that neural circuits related to the subfornical organ contain angiotensin II.

Bidirectional connections between the subfornical organ and the hypothalamus are reviewed, and emphasis is placed on recent evidence for the presence of angiotensin II in some of these pathways. Additionally, evidence is presented suggesting that this peptide may serve as a neurotransmitter or neuroendocrine factor in the efferent projections of cell groups receiving neural inputs from the subfornical organ. It appears that angiotensin II may serve as one of the chemical messengers at each link in multi-synaptic pathways related to the subfornical organ.

The distribution of growth-hormone-releasing factor (GRF) immunoreactivity in the central nervous system of the rat: an immunohistochemical study using antisera directed against rat hypothalamic GRF.

Immunohistochemical methods have been used to chart the distribution of rat hypothalamic growth-hormone-releasing factor (rhGRF) immunoreactivity in the brains of normal and colchicine-treated adult albino rats. The results suggest the existence of at least two distinct rhGRF-containing systems: one responsible for delivery of the peptide to portal vessels in the median eminence, and one whose relationship, if any, to hypophysiotropic function is less direct. A dense plexus of rhGRF-stained fibers was found throughout the external lamina of the median eminence that is the route by which the peptide is delivered to the anterior pituitary.

Therapeutic perspectives on father-daughter incest.

In recent years it has become apparent that father-daughter incest is not an uncommon occurrence. Many social forces have conspired to maintain secrecy at both the family and societal levels. The authors examine the evolution of professional attitudes and understandings of incest, beginning with Freud's writings on the subject, and offer specific recommendations for clinicians working with incest victims and their families.

Influence of perinatal androgen on the sexually dimorphic distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive cells and fibers in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus of the rat.

Recently we reported that the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPv) of the preoptic region contains a dramatic sexual dimorphism in the distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-(TH-)immunoreactive cells and fibers in the rat. This sexual dimorphism appears to be due to a greater density of dopaminergic fibers, and a larger number of dopaminergic cell bodies, in the AVPv of the female. In the present study we used an indirect immunohistochemical method to evaluate the distribution of TH-immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers, and of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-(DBH-)stained fibers, in the AVPv of female rats that were treated with testosterone propionate (TP) perinatally or postnatally, or were left untreated.

Evidence that projections from substantia innominata to zona incerta and mesencephalic locomotor region contribute to locomotor activity.

A series of anatomical, electrophysiological and behavioral experiments was carried out in the rat to investigate the possible functional significance of a recently demonstrated neural pathway from the substantia innominata of the subpallidal forebrain to the mesencephalic locomotor region. Following injections of the anterogradely transported lectin PHA into the substantia innominata labeled fibers with terminal boutons were observed in the zona incerta, dorsal to the medial part of the subthalamic nucleus, and some appeared to continue on to the pedunculopontine nucleus. Electrophysiological recordings of action potentials were made from neurons in the substantia innominata and some of these neurons were activated antidromically by single-pulse stimulation of the zona incerta and/or by single-pulse stimulation of the pedunculopontine nucleus as well.

Alternative RNA processing events in human calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide gene expression.

Two mRNAs generated as a consequence of alternative RNA processing events in expression of the human calcitonin gene encode the protein precursors of either calcitonin or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Both calcitonin and CGRP RNAs and their encoded peptide products are expressed in the human pituitary and in medullary thyroid tumors. On the basis of sequence comparison, it is suggested that both the calcitonin and CGRP exons arose from a common primordial sequence, suggesting that duplication and rearrangement events are responsible for the generation of this complex transcription unit.

The distribution of monoaminergic cells and fibers in a periventricular preoptic nucleus involved in the control of gonadotropin release: immunohistochemical evidence for a dopaminergic sexual dimorphism.

A small, discrete nucleus at the rostral end of the third ventricle, the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPv), has been reported to be involved in the control of gonadotropin release. Since monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems have also been implicated in this function we used an indirect immunohistochemical approach to examine the distribution of 3 monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems in this nucleus. Sections through the AVPv of both colchicine and non-colchicine-treated adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were processed for immunohistofluorescence with antisera directed against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), or serotonin (5-HT), and were subsequently counterstained with the fluorescent Nissl stain ethidium bromide.

Cushing's syndrome due to ectopic production of corticotropin-releasing factor.

A patient with Cushing's syndrome is described who had a metastatic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid which contained corticotropin-releasing factor. ACTH was found by an immunohistochemical method in the patient's pituitary, but not in the thyroid tumor. This is the second report demonstrating corticotropin-releasing factor in tumor tissue in this syndrome.

Organization of angiotensin II immunoreactive cells and fibers in the rat central nervous system. An immunohistochemical study.

The distribution of angiotensin II (AII)-immunoreactive cells and fibers was examined in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with and without colchicine pretreatment. As seems to be the case for a number of other neuropeptides, AII is preferentially found in brain stem, hypothalamic, and limbic structures involved in the control of homeostatic functions. AII-stained cell bodies were most prominent in magnocellular parts of the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei, and cells were also found in parvocellular parts of the former.

Effect of supplemental beta-carotene on incidence and responsiveness of ovarian cysts to hormone treatment.

Sixty-two multiparous and 35 primiparous Holstein cows were assigned randomly at 10 days postpartum to receive a ration with or without 300 mg beta-carotene/cow per day. Multiparous and primiparous cows were grouped separately and group-fed complete rations once daily. Incidence of ovarian cysts (26% by rectal palpation) was not affected by beta-carotene fed.

Localization, colocalization, and plasticity of corticotropin-releasing factor immunoreactivity in rat brain.

The generation of antiserums against a peptide that has met the criteria predicted for corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has allowed the immunohistochemical localization of CRF immunoreactive neurons in the rat brain. Although CRF-stained cells have been found to be widely distributed in the central nervous system, attention has focused on neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH), which is now acknowledged to be the principal source for delivery of CRF to the hypophyseal portal system. Some 2000 CRF-stained neurons can be counted in the PVH of the colchicine-treated rat, and there is evidence that enkephalin, PHI, and neurotensin coexist with CRF in subsets of parvocellular neurons.

The cells of origin of a sexually dimorphic serotonergic input to the medial preoptic nucleus of the rat.

The medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) is a sexually dimorphic complex composed of 3 distinct cytoarchitectonic subdivisions, and a sexually dimorphic distribution of presumably serotonergic fibers is associated with the lateral part of the nucleus (MPNl). In this study the probable cells of origin for these serotonergic fibers were identified by using a combined fluorescent retrograde tracer and immunofluorescence method. Serotonergic afferents to the MPN appear to arise exclusively from the dorsal raphe nucleus (B7), the median raphe nucleus (B8), and the region adjacent to the medial lemniscus (B9).

Evidence for corticotropin releasing factor and Leu-enkephalin in the neural projection from the lateral parabrachial nucleus to the median preoptic nucleus: a retrograde transport, immunohistochemical double labeling study in the rat.

Neurons in the lateral parabrachial nucleus of the pons were retrogradely labeled by True Blue deposited into the median preoptic nucleus. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that some 7% of these cells also contained corticotropin releasing factor, and another 5% were stained for Leu-enkephalin. Labeled cells were not found throughout the lateral parabrachial nucleus, but were confined to distinct cytoarchitectonically defined subdivisions.

Angiotensin II immunoreactivity in the neural afferents and efferents of the subfornical organ of the rat.

Angiotensin II (AII) immunoreactive cells and fibers were identified in the subfornical organ (SFO) of the rat. Cells were distributed in an annulus around the periphery of the SFO and were most visible in the Brattleboro rat treated with colchicine. Fibers were observed in a plexus, located centrally within the ring of cells, and knife-cuts suggested that they arise from parent cell bodies lying outside of the SFO.

Warfarin dosage following prosthetic valve replacement: effect of smoking history.

Warfarin currently is the most widely used agent in the prevention of thrombosis and embolism after prosthetic cardiac valve replacement. Since smoking has been shown to increase the requirement for medications undergoing hepatic metabolism, this study was designed to determine if a correlation exists between smoking history and warfarin daily maintenance dose (DMD) in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement. Of 200 charts retrospectively reviewed at the New England Medical Center, 174 satisfied the criteria for inclusion in the study (normal hepatic, renal, and hematologic function, and absence of complicating medications).

The projection of the supramammillary nucleus to the hippocampal formation: an immunohistochemical and anterograde transport study with the lectin PHA-L in the rat.

The organization and possible neurotransmitter specificity of a projection from the lateral supramammillary nucleus to the hippocampal formation has been examined with immunohistochemical and axonal transport methods in the adult male rat. Experiments with the retrograde tracer true blue indicate that neurons throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the nucleus are labeled after injections in either dorsal parts of the dentate gyrus and Ammon's horn, or the entorhinal area, although cells labeled by the entorhinal injections tended to occupy more ventral parts of the nucleus. Combined immunohistochemical-retrograde transport studies showed that a small number (less than 5%) of cholecystokinin-immunoreactive neurons in the caudal tip of the supramammillary nucleus project to the hippocampal formation, as do some (5-10%) vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive neurons throughout the nucleus.

Effect of photoperiod on milk production and prolactin of Holstein dairy cows.

Milk yield and composition were measured in 74 Holstein cows and first-calf heifers in two experiments comparing varying lengths of photoperiod. High pressure sodium vapor lamps provided light intensity at cow eye level of 254 +/- 26 lx during the day and 132 +/- 9 lx at night in a free stall barn open on two sides. The first experiment compared continuous light with 18 h light for 16 wk during the winter in animals previously exposed to continuous light.

Substantia innominata: critical link in the behavioral expression of mesolimbic dopamine stimulation in the rat.

The 'supersensitive' locomotor response to apomorphine resulting from 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced denervation of the nucleus accumbens (N.Acc.) was studied in animals following selective damage to cell bodies within the substantia innominata (SI) and lateral preoptic region (LPO).