We have examined the effect of electrical stimulation in the subfornical organ (SFO) on the activity of neurons in the medial septum and diagonal band of Broca (MS-DBB) which project to the median eminence in the rat. Previous studies have suggested that septal neurons with such projections are luteinizing hormone releasing hormone neurons. Extracellular single-unit recordings were obtained from 69 neurons in the MS-DBB which were antidromically identified as projecting to the median eminence. Electrical stimulation (100–400 µA) in the SFO resulted in a relatively short-latency (22.8 ± 0.8 ms), short-duration (9.2 ± 0.8 ms) activation of 85% of 41 antidromically identified MS-DBB neurons tested. One neuron was inhibited by SFO stimulation, while the remaining 12% were unaffected. Stimulation in nearby regions, including the hippocampal commissure and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, failed to elicit a similar excitatory response from 19 identified MS-DBB neurons. These results identify a neuronal pathway between the SFO and septal neurons which project to the median eminence, supporting a possible role for the SFO in the control of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone release and hence gonadotropin secretion.

Keywords:
Electrophysiology, Medial septum, Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone, Median eminence
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1988 S. Karger AG, Basel
1988
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.