Articlehybrid1998

Reorganization of the Dendritic Trees of Oxytocin and Vasopressin Neurons of the Rat Supraoptic Nucleus during Lactation

Javier Eduardo Stern · William E. Armstrong

130 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Neuroscience

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Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

Abstract

Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) release from the neurohypophysis are correlated with the electrical activity of magnocellular cells (MNCs) in the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei. Synaptic inputs to MNCs influence their electrical activity and, hence, hormone release. During lactation OT neurons display a synchronized high-frequency bursting activity preceding each milk ejection. In parallel to the adoption of this pattern of electrical activity, an ultrastructural reorganization of the SON has been observed during lactation. In the present study we performed a light microscopic, morphometric analysis of identified OT and VP neurons in the SON to determine whether the dendrites of these neurons participate in the plasticity observed during lactation. The dendritic trees of OT neurons shrunk during lactation ( approximately 41% decrease in the total dendritic length) because of a decreased dendritic branching concentrated at a distance of 100-200 microm from the soma. No changes in the maximal distal extension were observed. The distribution pattern of dendritic length into branch orders also was affected. Strikingly, opposite effects were observed in VP neurons. The dendritic trees during lactation elongated ( approximately 48% increase in the total dendritic length) because of an increased branching close to the soma. No changes in the maximal distal extension were observed. These results indicate that the length and geometry of the dendritic trees of OT and VP neurons are altered in opposite ways during lactation. These changes would influence the availability of postsynaptic space and alter the electrotonic properties of the neurons, affecting the efficacy of synaptic inputs.

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References

1990Emerging concepts of structure-function dynamics in adult brain: The hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system 1973THE MILK-EJECTION REFLEX OF THE RAT: A 20- TO 40-FOLD ACCELERATION IN THE FIRING OF PARAVENTRICULAR NEURONES DURING OXYTOCIN RELEASE 1995Morphological and electrophysiological classification of hypothalamic supraoptic neurons 1994Electrophysiological characteristics of immunochemically identified rat oxytocin and vasopressin neurones in vitro.

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