Distribution and chemical coding pattern of the cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) immunoreactivity in the preoptic area of the pig

Abstract

Abstract:This study provides a detailed description of cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) distribution and the co-localization pattern of CART and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), somatostatin (SOM), neuropeptide Y (NPY), cholecystokinin (CCK), and substance P (SP) in the preoptic area (POA) of the domestic pig. The POA displays a low density of immunoreactive cells and rich immunoreactivity for CART in fibers. CART-immunoreactive (CART-IR) cell bodies were single and faintly stained, and located in the medial preoptic area (MPA) and the periventricular region of the POA. A high density of immunoreactive fibers was observed in the periventricular preoptic nucleus (PPN); a high to moderate density of fibers was observed in the MPA; but in the dorso-medial region of the MPA the highest density of fibers in the whole POA was observed. The lateral preoptic area (LPA) exhibited a less dense concentration of CART-immunoreactive fibers than the MPA. The median preoptic nucleus (MPN) showed moderate to low expression of staining fibers. In the present study, dual-labeling immunohistochemistry was used to show that CART-IR cell bodies do not contain any GnRH and SP. CART-positive fibers were identified in close apposition with GnRH neurons. This suggests that CART may influence GnRH secretion. Double staining revealed that CART-IR structures do not co-express any of the substances we studied, but a very small population of CART-IR fibers also contain

Distribution of the Cocaine and Amphetamine - Regulated Transcript (Cart) and Calcium Binding Proteins Immunoreactivity in the Preoptic Area of the Ram

“…The median preoptic nucleus originates from the thelencephalon contrary to the remaining preoptic area parts that anatomically and functionally are strictly connected with the hypothalamus. Similar CART expression was reported in the preoptic area of pigs (3), rats (22), humans (13), and lower vertebrates (17); however, the CART-positive perikarya in the porcine preoptic area were less numerous than in the ram's preoptic area (3). CART containing fibers in the preoptic area of the ram occurred in two morphological forms: with large or tiny varicosities.…”

“…For example, classical neurotransmitters like: dopamine (10), γ-aminobutyric acid (34), as well as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (19), oxytocin (9), or aromatase (23). Furthermore, preoptic area contains calcium binding proteins (CaBPs) (7,8) as well as neuropeptides including substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, cholecystokinin, neuropeptide Y, cocaine and amphetamine -regulated transcript (CART), and opioid peptides (3,13,17,26). The CART is present in many brain areas, for example in the hypothalamus (32), hippocampus (12), amygdala (24), or mesolimbic dopamine system (27).…”

“…In contrast to hypothalamic nuclei related to feeding behaviour, little is known about CART distribution in the preoptic area, which is strictly connected with reproductive and maternal behaviour. There are only few papers concerning CART peptide occurrence in the preoptic area (3,13,17) and the neuroanatomical distribution of the CART in the preoptic area has been studied in detail only in the pig (3). The CaBPs are known to play a crucial role in maintaining constant intracellular level of calcium ions and they are used as a cellular marker for neuroanatomical studies (1).…”

Distribution and female reproductive state differences in orexigenic and anorexigenic neurons in the brain of the mouth brooding African cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni

“…The preoptic area of teleosts is well-recognized as an important node in the regulation of reproduction (Yu, Rosenblum, & Peter, 1991) and contains neurons that innervate the pituitary gland (e.g., GnRH1 cells), which regulate hypophysiotropic functions such as gonadotropin hormone secretion (Akash et al, 2014;Zohar, Munoz-Cueto, Elizur, & Kah, 2010). In mammals, CART-immunoreactive fibers were observed in close proximity to GnRH cells in the preoptic area [Siberian hamster; (Leslie et al, 2001), and pig; (Bogus-Nowakowska et al, 2011)], and the CART-expressing neurons in the arcuate nucleus and premammilary ventral nucleus communicate with GnRH containing neurons in the POA. It is thought that this circuitry modulates GnRH1 secretion resulting in a surge of luteinizing hormone, as well as facilitating leptin's effect on GnRH secretion (Rondini, Baddini, Sousa, Bittencourt, & Elias, 2004;Subhedar, Nakhate, Upadhya, & Kokare, 2014).…”

An Immunohistochemical Study of Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript (Cart) Expression in the Pterygopalatine Ganglion of the Pig

“…Taking into account the above, it is possible, that in particular porcine PPG ganglia CART-IR nerve terminals may originate from CART-positive central neurons and/or other PPG CART-IR ganglionic neurons. However, so far the expression of CART in the porcine brain was predominantly found in the amygdala [17], hippocampus [18] or preoptic area [19] but not in the previously mentioned central nuclei which are known to project to PPG [6]. Our hypothesis that the observed CART-IR nerve terminals found in particular pterygopalatine ganglia may originate (at least partially) from the neighboring ganglia may be additionally supported by the fi nding that single CART-IR nerve fi bers were observed in nerve branches interconnecting particular ganglia.…”