Secretory Mechanisms in Opiocortin Cells During Cold Stress
Abstract
The goals of the study are to investigate the effects of acute exposure to cold or novel environment on the hypothalamic pituitary axis. The study focuses on one system. In the hypothalamus, the nerve cells that produce corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP) are investigated. In the pituitary the focus is on the changes in the anterior pituitary corticotrope. We are measuring changes in CRH and AVP binding sites on target pituitary cells detected cytochemically. We are correlating changes in serum ACTH with alterations in area of the corticotropes and neurons labeled immunocytochemically for their respective hormones. At the same time, the density of storage of these hormones is analyzed with a microspectrophotometer. Changes in the levels of mRNA for proopiocortin in the pituitary, or CRH and AVP ain the hypothalamus are detected with in situ hybridization technology. Image analysis with the microspectrophotometer detects differences in label for mRNA/ cell after the stress exposure. At the end of this period, we hope to have demonstrated changes in mRNA antigens, and receptors for the hormones involved in the control of the adrenal. Keywords: Supraoptic nucleus, Paraventricular nucleus; Adrenocorticotropin, Cold stress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 15, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA212813
Entities
People
- Gwen V. Childs
Organizations
- University of Texas Medical Branch