Distribution of orexin B and its relationship with GnRH in the pig hypothalamus

作者：Su Juan; Lei Zhihai^*; Zhang Wenlong; Ning Hongmei; Ping Jihui

来源：Research in Veterinary Science, 2008, 85(2): 315-323.

DOI：10.1016/j.rvsc.2007.12.007

• orexins
• GnRH
• pig
• reproduction
• immunohistochemistry
• double immunofluorescence

Increasing evidence suggests that orexins - hypothalamic neuropeptides - act as neurotransmitters or neuromediators in the brain, regulating autonomic and neuroendocrine functions. Orexins are closely associated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the preoptic area and alter luteinizing hormone (LH) release, suggesting that they regulate reproduction. Here, we investigated the distribution of orexin B (immunohistochemical technique) and the relationship between orexin B and GnRH containing fibres and neurons in the pig hypothalamus using double immunofluorescence and laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Orexin B immunoreactive neurons were mainly localized in the perifornical area (PeF), dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH), zona incerta (ZI) and the posterior hypothalamic area (PH), with a sparser distribution in the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic area. Immunoreactive fibres were distributed throughout the central nervous system. Approximately 30% GnRH neurons were in close contact with orexin B immunoreactive fibres, among these approximately 6% of GnRH neurons co-localized with orexin B perikarya in the region between the caudal preoptic area and the anterior hypothalamic area. Orexin B may regulate reproduction by altering LH release in the hypothalamus.

• 出版日期2008-10
• 单位南京农业大学