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Hibernation-related changes in the immunoreactivity of neuropeptide systems in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the ground squirrel, Spermophilus richardsonii

With reference to observations in the hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus

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Summary

The pattern of distribution and reactivity of the neuropeptides vasopressin (AVP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) were studied in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (NSC) of 20 Richardson's ground squirrels (and 7 European hedgehogs) of both sexes during hibernation and euthermia. The total area of immunostained structures revealed by application of the individual immunocytochemical techniques was measured by means of computer-aided image analysis. In both species, elements of all peptide systems examined were related to particular subdivisions of the NSC. The pattern of immunoreactivity was strongly correlated with the physiological stage of hibernation or euthermia both in ground squirrels and hedgehogs. The immunoreactivities to AVP and SP increased in area during hibernation (AVP: 25%; SP: 25%), whereas the respective area immunoreactive to NPY and VIP decreased (NPY: 45%; VIP: 100%) in comparison to nonhibernating controls. The TRH-immunoreactive nerve fibers were rare and rather scattered; thus, the quantitative procedure was not applicable for this immunoreaction.

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Abbreviations

AVP :

argnine vasopressin

NPY :

neuropeptide Y

NSC :

suprachiasmatic nucleus

SP :

substance P

TRH :

thyrotropinreleasing hormone

VIP :

vasoactive intestinal peptide

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Cytobiology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Federal Republic of Germany

    Christoph U. Schindler & Frank Nürnberger

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  1. Christoph U. Schindler
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  2. Frank Nürnberger
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Schindler, C.U., Nürnberger, F. Hibernation-related changes in the immunoreactivity of neuropeptide systems in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the ground squirrel, Spermophilus richardsonii . Cell Tissue Res 262, 293–300 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00309884

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00309884

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