Endocrinology, Vol 100, 1585-1594, Copyright © 1977 by Endocrine Society
Hypothalamic areas involved in prostaglandin (PG)-induced gonadotropin release. I: effects of PGE2 and PGF2alpha implants on luteinizing hormone release
SR Ojeda, HE Jameson and SM McCann
Ovariectomized rats had a cannula inserted unilaterally within various
hypothalamic areas. Several days later they were primed with a sc dose of
10 microng of estradiol benzoate (Eb). Two days after priming they were
etherized and an initial blood sample was drawn from the external jugular
vein. An inner cannula containing PGE2 or PGF2alpha at its tip was inserted
into the previously implanted outer cannula. Blood samples were drawn at
20, 40, 60, and 120 min following the implantation. PGE2 induced a 4-5-fold
increase in plasma LH 40 to 60 min following its implantation in the
arcuate nucleus-median eminence region (ARH-ME). Levels were already
significantly elevated at 20 min. When PGE2 was placed slightly more
dorsally, close to the ventromedial nucleus (VMH), LH titers rose to
comparable levels but only after a delay of 120 min. PGE2 implanted in the
caudal portion of the ARH-ME or dorsally in the VMH-dorsomedial nuclei,
barely increased plasma LH, whereas its placement in the anterior portion
of the ARH-ME clearly elevated LH titers. PGE2 implants located more than 1
mm lateral from the midline or outside the hypothalamus were ineffective.
When PGE2 was placed in the preoptic area (POA) or anterior ventral portion
of the anterior hypothalamic area (AHA), plasma LH levels rose strikingly,
the first significant increase being observed at 20 min. PGE2 implants
located in the vicinity of the paraventricular nucleus-dorsal portion of
AHA were much less effective. PGF2alpha implanted in the ARH-ME or POA
induced a small increase in plasma LH and the implantation of empty
cannulae in the same areas was ineffective. Intrapituitary implants of PGE2
failed to alter plasma LH significantly. The results indicate that PGE2
acts at the ARH-ME region to induce LH release and that an even more
effective site of action seems to be located in the POA-AHA. Since these
are areas which contain LHRH, the results support the view that PGs can
activated LHRH-secreting neurons in these regions.