Abstract
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus controls many of the circadian rhythms in mammalian species. In the present study, we investigated the location of substance P receptor (SPR)-containing neurons in the rat SCN, using a specific antibody against SPR, which corresponds to the NK-1 subtype of tachykinin receptors, and also examined the synaptic relationship between SPR-containing neurons and retinal fibers at the ultrastructural level. An SPR-immunoreactive meshwork of labeled somata and dendrites was identified in the SCN. The strongest SPR-immunoreactivity was observed in the dorsal and lateral parts of the SCN. Many labeled somata were identified there and their dendrites protruded ventrally from their somata. A few SPR-immunoreactive somata were observed also in the ventral part of the SCN and within the optic tract. In the SCN of eye-enucleated animals, degenerating retinal fibers were shown to terminate on SPR-immunoreactive dendrites forming asymmetrical axo-dendritic contacts.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 53-61 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Brain Research |
Volume | 698 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 6 1995 |
Keywords
- Immunohistochemistry
- Rat
- Retinal fiber
- Retinohypothalamic projection
- Substance P receptor
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
- Molecular Biology
- Clinical Neurology
- Developmental Biology