Preoptic Area


The motivation of songbirds to sing is influenced by two brain regions, the medial preoptic area (POM) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), which are located outside the song control system itself.  

In contrast, dominant males had significantly higher Fos-ir densities in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) than subordinate males, whereas subordinate males expressed higher densities of Fos-ir in the anterior hypothalamus (AH) and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA).  

Central cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition attenuated extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 phosphorylation and c-Fos induction in the median preoptic area and arcuate hypothalamus, but not in other hypothalamic or brainstem structures, after intraperitoneal interleukin-1ss administration.  

Rats were implanted electrodes in the lateral hypothalamus and lateral preoptic area.  

However, AAS treatment significantly increased action potential frequency in neighboring medial preoptic area (mPOA) neurons and GABAA receptor-mediated sPSC frequency in GnRH neurons.  

In the female rodent, kisspeptin cells of the preoptic area are involved in the positive feedback action of oestrogen on GnRH secretion, but the picture appears more complicated in the ewe.  

Retrograde tract tracing studies identified a limited set of ERalpha-containing afferents primarily found in four areas (ventromedial preoptic area, RCh, ventromedial and arcuate [ ARC] nuclei).  

Furthermore, dual-label immunofluorescence revealed that TOP and oestrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) coexpress in several reproductively-relevant brain regions, including the medial preoptic area (mPOA), arcuate nucleus (ARC), ventrolateral portion of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMNvl), and the midbrain central grey (MCG).  

LPS injection significantly decreased GnRH and GnRHR mRNAs levels in the preoptic area (40%, p

However, IH increased levels of mRNA for the kisspeptin receptor in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus, associated with reduced duration of estrous cycles.  

Using in vivo electrophysiological and anatomical approaches in the rat, we found that neurons in the dorsal part of the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBd) glutamatergically transmit cutaneous warm signals from spinal somatosensory neurons directly to the thermoregulatory command center, the preoptic area (POA).  

In the brains of 5dpf larvae, PTZ treatment significantly reduced the number of BrdU-labeled cells in the telencephalic area (pallium and subpallium), diencephalic area (thalamus and preoptic area), medial tectal proliferation zone, and medial cerebellar proliferation zone to 52.4%, 62.9%, 47.2%, and 54.0% of the controls, respectively.  

In the spring, actively courting males had greater AA in the olfactory region (O) compared to the septum/anterior-hypothalamus preoptic area (S/AHPOA), nucleus sphericus (NS) and midbrain (Mb).  

Approximately 14 h following the NCE behavioral tests, animals were sacrificed by means of decapitation, and levels of dopamine in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and medial preoptic area (MPOA) were measured by means of high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.  

Disinhibition of neurons in either VLM or NTS with the GABA(A) receptor antagonist, bicuculline (30 pmol), reversed the increases in BAT SNA, BAT temperature and end-expired CO(2) that were elicited (a) by cold-defense, (b) during the febrile model of nanoinjection of prostaglandin E(2) into the medial preoptic area, (c) by activation of neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus or in the rostral raphe pallidus (rRPa) or (d) by the micro-opioid receptor agonist, fentanyl.  

To explore the neural basis of any facultative shifts in behavior, we also quantified the subjects' AVT immunoreactivity (AVT-IR) in three forebrain regions that regulate sociosexual behavior: the medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTm), the lateral septum (LS), and the preoptic area.  

Our results show hrGFP-positive axonal projections and terminals in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, arcuate nucleus, preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, paraventricular thalamus, periaqueductal gray, and precoeruleus.  

These results provide evidence that netrin 1 acts as chemoattractant to migrating GnRH neurons at the dorsocaudal part of the septum and has the potential to regulate the ventral migration of GnRH neurons to the ventral septum and the preoptic area..  

The medial preoptic area (mPOA) is a key site for the dopaminergic enhancement of male sexual behavior.  

The majority of PRV positive neurons which were immunoreactive (IR) for OT were located in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), medial preoptic area (MPOA), and lateral hypothalamus.  

Intra-cerebro-ventricular injection of 1 nmol dNPA alone produced an overall inhibition of basal c-Fos expression in the brain with a statistically significant decrease in the lateral ventral part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the medial preoptic area and the medial parvicellular part of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.  

The preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus, a region that contains neurons that control thermoregulation, is the main locus at which histamine affects body temperature.  

We found intense staining in the piriform cortex, amygdala, hypothalamus (medial preoptic area, supra chiasmatic nucleus, lateral hypothalamus (LH), ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, and the arcuate nucleus, habenular nuclei, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDTg), pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg), locus coeruleus, nucleus of the solitary tract and the spinal trigeminal nucleus.  

In c-Fos expression, control aged rats showed decreases in c-Fos-positive cells in response to acute stress in the prefrontal cortex, medial preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, nucleus accumbens, medial amygdaloid nucleus, and CA3 subfield of hippocampus, whereas they showed increases in the dorsal raphe nucleus and parvocellular part of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus compared to acutely stressed control young rats.  

The preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus (POA/AH) contains warm- and cold-sensitive neurons that are important for temperature regulation. The present study evaluated the effect of ethanol on Fos immunoreactivity (Fos-ir) in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and the effect of lesions to the MPOA on ethanol-induced hypothermia.  

Here we describe a sex difference in DNA methylation of the estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) promoter region within the developing rat preoptic area, with males exhibiting more DNA methylation within the ERalpha promoter than females.  

Abstract Developmental exposure to the agricultural fungicide vinclozolin can impair reproductive function in male rabbits and was previously found to decrease the number of immunoreactive-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (ir-GnRH) neurons in the region of the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) and rostral preoptic area (rPOA) by postnatal week (PNW) 6.  

The aim of the study was to provide the topography and morphometric characteristics of the preoptic area (POA) of the guinea pig. The guinea pig POA consists of four parts: the medial preoptic area (MPA), lateral preoptic area (LPA), periventricular preoptic nucleus (PPN), and median preoptic nucleus (MPN).  

Variations in maternal behavior among lactating rats associate with differences in estrogen-oxytocin interactions in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and in dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens (nAcc).  

In necdin-deficient mice at birth, the population of Dlx2-expressing cells significantly decreased in the neocortex but increased in the preoptic area.  

Kiss1 expression in the ARC and the preoptic area was lower in hypogonadotropic lean animals than animals of normal weight, and icv infusion of leptin partially restored Kiss1 expression in lean animals. Single-cell laser capture microdissection coupled with real-time PCR showed that Kiss1 cells in the preoptic area and ARC express Ob-Rb.  

In hypothalamic nuclei, estradiol increases L-PGDS transcript expression, whereas in the ventrolateral preoptic area L-PGDS gene expression is reduced after estradiol treatment.  

The amygdala and preoptic area showed the largest reductions.  

The volume of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) is two to four times larger in male rats than in females; however, the mechanism for the establishment of sexual dimorphism and the function of this nucleus is almost unknown.  

We show that most globus pallidus neurons, but very few neocortical interneurons, are generated from the ventral medial ganglionic eminence and dorsal preoptic area based on fate mapping using an Shh-Cre allele.  

The model includes the mutual inhibition of the sleep-active neurons in the hypothalamic ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO) and the wake-active monoaminergic brainstem populations (MA), as well as circadian and homeostatic drives.  

Thermoregulatory neurons in the preoptic area of the anterior hypothalamus (POA) form synaptic networks, which affect responses that regulate body temperature.  

Dialysate levels of DA, NE, and serotonin from medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAC), and hypothalamic medial preoptic area (MPOA) from female rats.  

A key brain site for vasopressin- but also oxytocin-mediated maternal care is the medial preoptic area (MPOA).  

In the present study, the functional role of the medial preoptic area (mPOA), a critical site involved in maternal responsiveness, on processing incentive value of pup-associated cues and influencing response allocation for pup- over cocaine-associated environments was investigated using a concurrent pup/cocaine choice conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm.  

Further, this coordinating process for approach arises from interactions between brain structures including those structures mentioned above and their closely linked regions: the medial prefrontal cortex, septal area, ventral pallidum, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, preoptic area, lateral hypothalamic areas, lateral habenula, periaqueductal gray, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus and parabrachical area..  

E(2) levels were intermediate in the medial preoptic area, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, lateral and medial magnocellular nuclei of anterior nidopallium, nucleus taeniae of the amygdala, and Area X.  

Sleep deprivation and rebound were accompanied by significant increases in neural activation in both brainstem and hypothalamic nuclei, including the ventrolateral preoptic area and median preoptic nucleus.  

Furthermore GnIH-ir nerve fibers were widely distributed in the multiple brain regions including the septum, preoptic area, median eminence, optic tectum and median eminence.  

The medial preoptic area (MPOA), supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus may serve as candidate sites because they contain oxytocin cells, receive dopaminergic inputs and have been implicated in mediating masculine sexual behavior.  

Sleep-promoting circuits have been found in the preoptic area and hypothalamus.  

Although aromatase B-positive radial glial cells are most abundant in the preoptic area and the hypothalamus, they are observed throughout the entire central nervous system and spinal cord.  

These zones were distributed in the telencephalon (4 zones), preoptic area (2 zones), pineal body (1 zone), hypophysis (1 zone), habenular nucleus (1 zone), optic tectum (2 zones), third ventricular zone (1 zone), ventromedial nucleus (1 zone), hypothalamus (1 zone), and cerebellum (3 zones).  

Lower levels of c-fos mRNA expression were observed at 16 h recovery in the ventrolateral medial preoptic area, basolateral amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and prelimbic cortex.  

Only in Neoceratodus, however, were important cell populations found in the preoptic area and infundibular hypothalamus, whereas small numbers of faintly reactive neurons were present in the lateral septum and ventral striatum. Fiber labeling was widely distributed in all main brain subdivisions, but was more abundant in regions such as the septum, preoptic area, suprachiasmatic nucleus, lateral hypothalamic area, thalamus, pretectum and tegmentum.  

Systemic treatment with leptin (3mg/kg; intraperitoneal injection) induced the appearance of P-STAT3-immunoreactive cells in adult mouse preoptic area (POA). Rare, scattered and weakly stained cells were found in ventromedial preoptic nucleus and lateral preoptic area.  

In Experiment 2, when the female offspring from Experiment 1 reached maturity, they were tested for: (1) induced maternal behavior (MB), (2) plasma levels of corticosterone (Cpd B), progesterone (P), and estradiol (E(2)), (3) number of accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) mitral cells, and (4) c-fos expression measured in AOB and medial preoptic area (MPOA) neurons.  

We found that immunoreactivity for both proteins increased in a subset of the GnRH neurones of the septo-preoptic area by the morning after the long day. Photo-induced expression of Egr-1 or Fos protein in GnRH neurones was limited to a population of cells in the medial preoptic area.  

At fatigue, brains were quickly removed for measurement of 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), DA, and 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) by HPLC in preoptic area, hypothalamus, hippocampus and frontal cortex. RESULTS:: Intracerebroventricular injection of Los increased 5-HT content in preoptic area and hypothalamus. CONCLUSION:: Our results show that central fatigue due to hyperthermia and increased body heating rate induced by central Ang II AT1 receptors blockade in exercising rats is related with higher 5-HT content in preoptic area and hypothalamus, as well as with decreased level of this neurotransmitter in hippocampus.  

The mRNA expression of the progesterone receptor (PR) in the preoptic area (POA) hypothalamus was higher in the experimental groups than in the control group after ovariectomy and stimulation with estradiol benzoate.  

This report measured the level of serum testosterone following prenatal exposure to BBBC (0.1, 1.0, 10 mg/kg bw/d) in male rats, and measured aromatase activity of the hypothalamus-preoptic area with a close connection to the sexual differentiation and sexual behavior of BBBC-treated rat brains.  

The projection was observed in various brain regions such as the ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra pars compacta, hypothalamic nuclei, and preoptic area.  

Immunocytochemistry revealed GnIH-immunoreactive neuronal cell bodies in the dorsomedial region of the hypothalamus with axonal projections to GnRH neurons in the preoptic area as well as to the median eminence.  

In the forebrain, AR mRNA is abundant in proposed homologs of the mammalian striatum and amygdala, and in anterior and posterior parvocellular and magnocellular nuclei of the preoptic area, nucleus preglomerulosus, and posterior, ventral and anterior tuberal nuclei of the hypothalamus.  

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We examined the effects of kisspeptin-10 or a selective kisspeptin antagonist administration intra-ARC or intra-medial preoptic area (mPOA), (which includes the AVPV), on pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in the rat.  

Consistent with a direct role of IL-15Ralpha in the hypothalamus, IL-15 treatment of the wild-type mice induced c-Fos expression in the preoptic area.  

GnRH expression by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was evaluated in preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus (POA-AH), medial basal-posterior hypothalamus (MBH-PH), OB, and CT.  

We aimed to determine the impact of a change of photoperiod on the size of Kiss neuronal populations found in the preoptic area (POA) and arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the ewe brain.  

Levels of CRF, CRF receptor types 1 and 2 (CRF-R1, CRF-R2) mRNA expression in micropunches of the medial preoptic area (mPOA), hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and arcuate nucleus (ARC) were determined across pubertal development; brain tissue was collected from a naive group of rats on pnd 14, 32, on the day of vaginal opening, and pnd 77 (Adult).  

We found that transcripts for both Puralpha and Purbeta colocalize in GnRH1-expressing neurons in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus in A.  

Further, sGnRH-ir fibers were found in different regions of the brain, with prominent fibers running in parallel in the preoptic area (POA) without entering the pituitary.  

Abundant Gpr54 expression was also noted in the septum, rostral preoptic area (rPOA), anteroventral nucleus of the thalamus, posterior hypothalamus, periaqueductal grey, supramammillary and pontine nuclei, and dorsal cochlear nucleus.  

Axons of L1(+) pioneer neurons project to the ganglionic eminences and the anterior preoptic area, but avoid entering the posterior limb of the internal capsule towards the thalamus.  

At the light microscopic level, NPW-like immunoreactive (NPW-LI) cell bodies were found in the preoptic area (POA), PVN, ARC, VMH, LH, PMD (dorsal premammillary nucleus), periaqueductal gray (PAG), lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB), and prepositus nucleus (Pr).  

These GABA(A) receptors are targeted by gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated (GABAergic) neurons in the ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO): When these neurons become active, they inhibit the arousal-producing nuclei and induce sleep.  

The level of hypothalamic Kiss-1 mRNA and the number of kisspeptin-immunoreactive (kisspeptin-ir) cells in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), preoptic area (POA) and periventricular nucleus (PeN), were decreased significantly in the HM group compared with the M and S groups (P<0.01, respectively) on the day of onset-puberty.  

In another group of lean and normal-weight OVX ewes, we measured the different forms of alpha-MSH in ARC, hypothalamus (ARC-removed) and the preoptic area (POA).  

Previous studies suggest that sympathetic responses evoked from the preoptic area in anesthetized rats require activation of neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus. Disinhibition of neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus in conscious rats produces physiological and behavioral changes resembling those evoked by microinjection of muscimol, a GABA(A) receptor agonist and neuronal inhibitor, into the medial preoptic area. We tested the hypothesis that all of these effects evoked from the medial preoptic area are mediated through neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus by assessing the effect of bilateral microinjection of muscimol into the DMH on these changes. After injection of vehicle into the dorsomedial hypothalamus, injection of muscimol into the medial preoptic area elicited marked increases in heart rate, arterial pressure, body temperature, plasma ACTH, and locomotor activity and also increased c-Fos expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, a region known to control the release of ACTH from the adenohypophysis. Prior bilateral microinjection of muscimol into the dorsomedial hypothalamus produced a modest depression of baseline heart rate and body temperature but completely abolished all changes evoked from the medial preoptic area. Microinjection of muscimol just anterior to the dorsomedial hypothalamus had no effect on autonomic and neuroendocrine changes evoked from the medial preoptic area. Thus, activity of neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus mediates a diverse array of physiological and behavioral responses elicited from the medial preoptic area, suggesting that the latter region represents an important source of inhibitory tone to key neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus..  

During lactation, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) mRNA and peptide expression are increased in the medial preoptic area (MPO) and in the anterior paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.  

Because the neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R) is considered to mediate the effects of NKB at the cellular level, we determined the distribution of immunoreactive NK3R in the septal region, preoptic area (POA) and hypothalamus of the ewe.  

Noradrenaline (NA) microinjected into the rostromedial preoptic area (POA) elicits heat loss responses and opposes prostaglandin E(2)-induced fever.  

We examined whether growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) may promote non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep via activation of GABAergic neurons in the preoptic area.  

In response to 17beta-estradiol (10(-6) M) and heptachlor (10(-6) M), zebrafish embryos carrying the reporter construct expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein in the olfactory bulb, telencephalon, preoptic area, and mediobasal hypothalamus.  

Hypophysiotropic GnRH neurons are located in the preoptic area and ventral hypothalamus of sexually mature vertebrates. Successful bilateral GnRH3 soma ablation during development resulted in complete lack of olfactory, terminal nerve, preoptic area, and hypothalamic GnRH3 neurons and fibers in 12-wk-old animals.  

Anterograde tracing from A1 with microruby injection identified projections to the PBN, BNST and preoptic area (POA).  

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The effect of preoptic area administration of insulin on CBT in mice was measured by radiotelemetry and respiratory exchange ratio. RESULTS: Injection of insulin into the preoptic area of the hypothalamus induced a specific and dose-dependent elevation of CBT mediated by stimulation of BAT thermogenesis as shown by imaging and respiratory ratio measurements.  

Measures of behavioral masculinization correlate with a twofold increase in spinophilin protein and the density of dendritic spines in the medial preoptic area (POA).  

The present study aimed: (i) to clarify the role of PG(s) in regulating GnRH cell function at the level of the perikarya in the preoptic area; (ii) to determine the cyclooxygenase (COX) isozyme responsible for producing PG(s) that regulates GnRH perikarya; and (iii) to identify cell types that contain the responsible COX isozyme in female rats. However, treatment with indomethacin or flurbiprofen, a selective COX-1 inhibitor, significantly reduced the number of GnRH-immunoreactive cells in the preoptic area at the time of peak LH secretion during the surge. Double-labelled immunofluorescent histochemistry revealed COX-1 immunoreactivity in the vicinity of, but not within, GnRH containing neurones in the preoptic area. The COX-1 immunoreactivity was almost entirely localised in microglia in the preoptic area, but not in neurones or astrocytes. These results suggest that microglia in the preoptic area containing COX-1 are responsible for producing PG(s), which, in turn, facilitates the accumulation of GnRH during the gonadotrophin surge in female rats..  

Abundant GnIH-ir fibers were observed in the nucleus of the stria terminalis in the telencephalon; habenular nucleus, paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, preoptic area, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, IPe, arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus, median eminence and dorsal hypothalamic area in the diencephalon; medial region of the superior colliculus, central gray substance of the midbrain and dorsal raphe nucleus in the midbrain; and parabrachial nucleus in the pons. GnIH-ir fibers were observed in close proximity to gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I, dopamine, beta-endorphin, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II neurons in the preoptic area, IPe, arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus, and central gray substance of midbrain, respectively.  

By contrast, genistein induced a dose-dependent increase in CREB phosphorylation in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV).  

Immunocytochemical localization of catfish GnRH (cfGnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in preoptic area-hypothalamus (POA-H) and pituitary, respectively, revealed decreased immunoreactivity (ir-) following EE(2) treatment in males.  

Retrograde neuronal tracing in the brain showed few proopiomelanocortin or kisspeptin cells in the arcuate nucleus, but more than 70% of kisspeptin cells in the dorsolateral preoptic area (POA), projecting to the ventromedial POA in which GnRH cells are located.  

In sheep, Kiss1 mRNA-expressing cells are found in the preoptic area (POA) and arcuate nucleus (ARC), and expression is up-regulated in the caudal ARC during the periovulatory period.  

Chronic exposure of wild-type male mice to a combination of chemically distinct AAS increased action potential (AP) frequency, selective GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNAs, and GABAergic synaptic current decay in the medial preoptic area (mPOA).  

In this study, regulations of postpartum mRNA expressions were investigated in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus. Quantitative RT-PCR measurements validated the increase in the mRNA level of amylin in the preoptic area of lactating dams while the expression level of other members of the calcitonin gene-related peptide family did not change. In situ hybridization histochemistry for amylin further verified its induction in lactating mothers and demonstrated the distribution of amylin mRNA in the medial preoptic nucleus, parts of the medial preoptic area, and the ventral part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis but nowhere else in the rat brain. Immunolabeling verified the postpartum induction of amylin in the preoptic area at the peptide level, as well.  

Finally, the trip gene was not expressed in the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA), a nucleus in which apoptosis is higher in females than males.  

Hypnogenic structures are mainly located in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus. The number of Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the ventrolateral preoptic area (vlPOA) and in the median preoptic nucleus (MnPN) is positively correlated with the amount of preceding sleep.  

Our data revealed that EGFP-expressing neurons in the SCN, hence representing some of the PK2-expressing neurons, projected to many known SCN target areas, including the ventral lateral septum, medial preoptic area, subparaventricular zone, paraventricular nucleus, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, lateral hypothalamic area and paraventricular thalamic nucleus.  

Also, neurons in the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) and dorsolateral preoptic area (DLPO) and in the A7 noradrenergic cell group were retrogradely labeled but lacked Fos expression, suggesting that they may inhibit the RMR.  

In this study, we examined directly the potential for changes in central thermosensitivity to evoke the hypoxic metabolic response by heating and cooling the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (the area which integrates thermoreceptor input and regulates thermoeffector outputs) using chronic, indwelling thermodes in ground squirrels during normoxia and hypoxia (7, 10 and 12% O(2)).  

The medial preoptic area (MPO) plays an important role in many behavioral, autonomic and endocrine functions, including micturition and genital responses.  

We measured the changes in the activation of CaMKII and PKC in the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) of the hypothalamus and preoptic area (POA) of the rat brain, which are the two regions implicated in the regulation of female reproductive behaviour in rodents.  

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I) cells are localized primarily to the septopreoptic area (POA) and are responsible for regulating gonadotropin release from the anterior pituitary.  

Increased cell proliferation, as assessed by the number of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-immunoreactive (BrdU+) cells, were found near the ventricles of acoustically sensitive brain regions such as the preoptic area (POA) and the infundibular hypothalamus (IF).  

its motivation) is controlled through effects on the medial preoptic area and on catecholaminergic cell groups that project to song control nuclei.  

OT treatment for the first postnatal week significantly increased ERalpha-immunoreactivity in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH), but not in the medial preoptic area (MPOA).  

We investigated whether within the preoptic area, natriuretic peptide (NP) acts as an endogenous antipyretic in rats made febrile by systemic administration of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS).  

Thermoregulation is known to interfere with sleep, possibly due to a functional interaction at the level of the preoptic area (POA).  

Levels of noradrenaline and its metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), were determined in microdissections of the preoptic area (POA) and medial basal hypothalamus-median eminence (MBH-ME) and correlated with LH secretion.  

MSG activated the medial preoptic area, dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, and habenular nucleus.  

Direct input from kisspeptin neurones in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) to GnRH cell bodies in the medial preoptic area or their terminals in the median eminence could be the intrinsic source for driving the GnRH pulse generator.  

Fiber labeling was observed in all main brain subdivisions but was more abundant in regions such as the septum, preoptic area, suprachiasmatic nucleus, lateral hypothalamic area and median eminence.  

The present study examined the effect of ibotenic acid lesions of the medial preoptic area (mPOA) on the expression of a conditioned place preference (CPP) for vaginocervical stimulation.  

Baclofen is a promising tool to explore whether medial preoptic area neurons interact with VTA neurons to control active maternal responses..  

Groups 1 through 4 showed similar numbers of c-FOS-IR cells in the preoptic area, an amount around three to fourfold larger than that found in virgins.  

In homeotherms, temperature homeostasis is regulated primarily in the preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus.  

Here, we show that another subpallial structure, the preoptic area, is a novel source of cortical GABAergic interneurons in the mouse.  

Immunohistochemistry study showed that stepholidine dose-dependently increased c-Fos expression in neurons of the ventrolateral preoptic area, a sleep center in the anterior hypothalamus, as compared with the vehicle control.  

RESULTS: Changes were observed in the medial preoptic area (MPA) (significantly higher number in estrus) and in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) (significantly higher number in proestrus).  

Notably, 3 areas of the brain-the medial preoptic area, the hypothalamic dorsomedial nucleus, and the habenular nucleus-are activated by intragastric l-glutamate but not by glucose or sodium chloride.  

OBJECTIVE: To compare the varieties and contents of the main nerval information molecules in perfusate from hypothalamic medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the rats in different sexual cycles and the ovariectomized rats treated by electro-acupuncture, so as to observe the similarities and differences of hypothalamic neuroendocrine signal transduction pathway under the physiological and pathological status, and to explore the mechanisms of neuroendocrine signal transduction of electro-acupuncture therapeutic effect in perimenopausal syndrome.  

In the present study, ovariectomized rats received estradiol benzoate (5 microg/rat for 7 days, s.c.) and norepinephrine and dopamine levels were measured in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus across the light/dark cycle using in vivo microdialysis. We conclude that subchronic estradiol benzoate treatment increases extracellular catecholamine levels in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus during the dark-phase without a concomitant increase in neurotransmitter biosynthesis. The estradiol benzoate-induced increases in norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the preoptic area during the dark-phase may play an important role in modulating critical hypothalamic functions..  

Moreover, OT-R binding was significantly lower in the agranular cortex (at juvenile and adolescent age), the lateral septum (at adult age) and the caudate putamen (at adult age), but higher in the medial preoptic area (at adolescent age) and ventromedial hypothalamus (at adult age) after exposure to MS.  

This expression seems to be specific of LC neurons, since it was not observed in other areas studied, the preoptic area and ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus.  

The medial preoptic area (mPOA) of the hypothalamus is one critical neural substrate underlying the onset and early expression of maternal behavior in rats but little is known about its specific functional role in the evolving expression of maternal behavior across the postpartum period.  

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sexual incentive motivation and copulatory performance are regulated by different subregions of the medial preoptic area (MPOA).  

Infusion of 5-HT into the third ventricle (ICV) or electrical stimulation (ES) of the medial preoptic area (POM) or the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) induces an increase in circulating PRL in the turkey.  

ERalpha immunoreactivity was quantified in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) and medial amygdala (MeA).  

For example, we report that the inhibition of SRC-1 expression blocks the activating effects of exogenous testosterone on male sexual behaviors and increases the volume of the median preoptic area.  

These effects of mating were not found in other DA-rich sites of the forebrain (including the anteroventral periventricular preoptic area, periventricular anterior hypothalamus, zona incerta, and arcuate nucleus).  

However, distributed CLS induced more Fos in the medial preoptic area than continuous CLS or no stimulation.  

Cholinergic mechanisms in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus were found to be involved in controlling the time characteristics of the states of sleep and waking, as well as measures of thermoregulation, in pigeons. Activation of muscarinic cholinoreceptors in the medial preoptic area was accompanied by increases in brain temperature due to increases in peripheral vasoconstriction and decreases in the level of muscle contractile activity. Comparative analysis of the results of experiments and previous studies showed that changes in brain temperature in pigeons occurring on activation of cholinoreceptors depend on the type of cholinoreceptor activated but are independent of their location in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus..  

Herein, we investigated photoperiod-induced changes in the number and distribution of GNRH1 mRNA-expressing cells in the preoptic area of male starlings. Detailed analysis of the rostrocaudal and mediolateral distribution revealed that breeding birds had greater numbers of cells expressing GNRH1 mRNA in the medial intermediate, mediocaudal, and lateral intermediate preoptic area compared with prebreeding and nonbreeding birds.  

The LC is a major wakefulness-promoting nucleus, resulting from dense excitatory projections to the majority of the cerebral cortex, cholinergic neurones of the basal forebrain, cortically-projecting neurones of the thalamus, serotoninergic neurones of the dorsal raphe and cholinergic neurones of the pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, and substantial inhibitory projections to sleep-promoting GABAergic neurones of the basal forebrain and ventrolateral preoptic area.  

Western blot analysis of both PR isoforms was performed in the hypothalamus and preoptic area 24 h after lordosis tests. In the hypothalamus and preoptic area, the content of both PR isoforms or PR-B alone was diminished by the administration of total or PR-B antisense oligonucleotides, respectively.  

Picrotoxin at 133 pmol elicited eating in the LH, but not in surrounding sites (thalamus, lateral preoptic area, ventral tegmental area, dorsomedial hypothalamus, and entopeduncular nucleus).  

Significant shifts in ERalpha cell numbers were observed in the medial preoptic area and medial amygdala as a consequence of reproductive experience in an oestrous-dependent manner.  

We also investigated the effects of neonatal programming on the development of the expression patterns of kisspeptin (Kiss1) and its receptor (Kiss1r) in hypothalamic sites known to contain kisspeptin-expressing neuronal populations critical to reproductive function: the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and the arcuate nucleus in neonatally-stressed animals.  

Neurones expressing gonadotrophin-releasing hormone in the preoptic area were also seen to receive input from RFRP-3 projections.  

However, total mediobasal hypothalamus/preoptic area (MBH/POA) GnRH content was significantly greater in dioxin-exposed animals. Differences in cellular structures were apparent in discrete regions of the GnRH neural network, specifically the lateral preoptic area and septal region.  

Quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine Kiss1 and Kiss1r mRNA levels in brain punches of the key hypothalamic sites regulating gonadotrophin secretion, the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and arcuate nucleus (ARC), collected 6h following administration of ghrelin.  

There were no regional differences between the hypothalamus and preoptic area in the distribution of close contacts.  

These areas include the preoptic area (POA), ventromedial amygdala (AMY) and ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH).  

In contrast, anterior pituitary glands from linoleate cows contained more FSH (P = 0.02) than control cows and linoleate cows had less IGF-I in the medial basal hypothalamus (P = 0.05), preoptic area (P = 0.06), and in follicular fluid (P

Using morphological criteria we describe the postnatal ontogeny of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and GnRH-associated peptide (GAP) of the GnRH prohormone in the ovine preoptic area (POA)-hypothalamus.  

The unilateral microinjection of noradrenaline (NA), but not vehicle solution, into the rostromedial preoptic area (POA) elicited simultaneous increases in cutaneous temperatures of the tail and sole of the foot and decreases in the whole-body O(2) consumption rate, heart rate, and colonic temperature in urethane-chloralose-anesthetized rats, suggesting a coordinate increase in heat loss and decrease in heat production.  

Using immunocytochemistry and morphometry we have supported our hypothesis that magnocellular neurons in the preoptic area of the brain of Xenopus laevis release identical sets of neuropeptides containing not only the previously identified vasotocin, mesotocin, corticotropin-releasing factor, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, urocortin 1, and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide but also mesotocin and met-enkephalin from both neurohemal areas in the pituitary neural lobe and in the median eminence.  

By means of immunohistochemistry techniques, using anti-CB1 cannabinoid receptor, anti-corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and anti-neuropeptide Y (NPY) antisera on brain sections of Carassius auratus, we found a topographical co-distribution of the three signaling molecules through the preoptic area and posterior lobes of the hypothalamus and even a co-localization of CB1 and NPY in the telencephalon.  

In adulthood, the volumes of the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV), sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) and arcuate nucleus (ARC) were determined, together with the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir) cells and fibres within them.  

To assess the possibility of elevated sensitivity to sex steroids in brains of persistent copulators, we measured mRNA levels for genes that code for the estrogen receptor-alpha, androgen receptor, and aromatase enzyme in the medial preoptic area and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.  

In all species, most immunoreactive neurons were observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, whereas the cells in the preoptic area and the tuberal region were more variable. Orexin immunoreactive fibers in the brain of all species included abundant fibers throughout the preoptic area and hypothalamus, whereas moderate amounts of fibers were present in the pallium, striatum, septum, thalamus, optic tectum, torus semicircularis, rhombencephalon and spinal cord.  

The LH surge, in turn, requires ovarian steroid modulation of GnRH neuron activation by the neuropeptide kisspeptin and glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission in the medial preoptic area (mPOA).  

Responding middle-aged rats displayed a reduction of ER-beta mRNA in the preoptic area which was similar to the effect in young rats.  

Kisspeptin immunoreactivity was observed rostrally in the preoptic area and caudally in an area lateral to the dorsal hypothalamic nucleus in both male and female anoles. These kisspeptin immunoreactive cells are associated with vesiculated fibers traveling through the paraventricular zone of the hypothalamus and preoptic area and extending into the rostral telencephalon. These preabsorption results suggest that kisspeptin is restricted to a single population in the preoptic area in anoles.  

The population located in the hypothalamus/preoptic area is the best studied and is known to ultimately control reproduction.  

Aromatase activity in the preoptic area and the hypothalamus was measured using the tritiated water releasing method. In some parts of the preoptic area and hypothalamus aromatase activity was higher in Soc birds relative to Iso birds.  

These rapid behavioral effects of estradiol could result from rapid changes in its local production in the preoptic area by aromatase, the enzyme converting testosterone into estradiol.  

Dopamine receptor activity in the rodent medial preoptic area (mPOA) is crucial for the display of maternal behaviors, as well as numerous other physiological and behavioral functions. The rostral hypothalamus and surrounding region also contained numerous dual-labeled cells, with the greatest number found within the mPOA itself (including in the anteroventral preoptic area and preoptic periventricular nucleus).  

Levels were 4-fold higher in male than female hypothalami, with expression in the medial preoptic area and lateral borders of the ventromedial hypothalamus of boars.  

In contrast, in situ hybridization histochemistry in macaque identified high levels of PTH2R expression in the central amygdaloid nucleus, medial preoptic area, hypothalamic paraventricular and periventricular nuclei, medial geniculate, and the pontine tegmentum. The distribution of PTH2R-immunoreactive fibers in human, determined by immunocytochemistry, was similar to that in rodents, including dense fiber networks in the medial preoptic area, hypothalamic paraventricular, periventricular and infundibular (arcuate) nuclei, lateral hypothalamic area, median eminence, thalamic paraventricular nucleus, periaqueductal gray, lateral parabrachial nucleus, nucleus of the solitary tract, sensory trigeminal nuclei, medullary dorsal reticular nucleus, and dorsal horn of the spinal cord.  

In fish, there are two KiSS genes, KiSS1 and KiSS2, expressed in neurons of the preoptic area and mediobasal hypothalamus.  

At fatigue, brains were quickly removed and serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were measured in the preoptic area, hypothalamus, frontal cortex, and hippocampus. Physostigmine injection attenuated hyperthermia and exercise-induced heat storage that was closely related to the serotonin content in the preoptic area. In conclusion, our data indicated that stimulation of the central cholinergic system promotes heat dissipation in running rats that is related to decreased serotonin content in the preoptic area..  

GnRH-I mRNA and GnRH-I peptide were observed to be co-localized in the preoptic area of sexually mature birds using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry.  

These studies tested the hypothesis that p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a serine/threonine kinase rapidly activated by E(2) in nonneural cells, functions as a downstream node for E(2) signaling pathways in cells of the preoptic area, and it may thereby mediate E(2) negative feedback effects.  

Expression in insular cortex, lateral septal nucleus, medial preoptic area, rostral linear nucleus, and in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus was also observed and had been previously unreported.  

Immunohistochemical staining revealed the localization of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in the piriform and insular cortex, endopiriform nucleus, nucleus accumbens, lateral septum, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, central amygdaloid nucleus, medial preoptic area, dorsal raphe nucleus, ambiguus nucleus, ventrolateral medulla and gigantocellular reticular nucleus, as well as Purkinje-cells of the cerebellum.  

On the other hand, GCKimmunoreactivity was also observed in other areas where the glucosensor system is probably functional,such as the preoptic area and the oculomotor nucleus.  

Fos induction was observed within the medial amygdala, medial preoptic area, and ventromedial hypothalamus of ovariectomized, hormone-primed rats that displayed FMM compared with rats that did not. Excitotoxic lesions of those regions eliminated FMM, whereas implants of crystalline estradiol benzoate to the ventromedial hypothalamus, but not the medial preoptic area or medial amygdala, restored FMM.  

The central mechanism of fever induction is triggered by an action of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) on neurons in the preoptic area (POA) through the EP3 subtype of prostaglandin E receptor.  

[ N-methyl-(11)C]Vorozole accumulated in all brain regions with highest accumulation in the aromatase-rich amygdala and preoptic area.  

D2-like receptors such that the D2/D1 ratio is higher in quail than in rats in areas, known to be important target sites for dopamine action such as striatal regions or the preoptic area, which is also associated with activation of sexual behavior.  

However, recent data from this and other laboratories have shown that LPS hypotension can be prevented by inhibiting afferent impulse flow in the vagus nerve, by blocking neuronal activity in the nucleus of the solitary tract, or by blocking alpha-adrenergic receptors in the preoptic area/anterior hypothalamic area (POA).  

The profuse innervation of the medial preoptic nucleus and medial preoptic area indicated significant involvement of the MePD in sexual behavior.  


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