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Reduction in Adiposity Affects the Extent of Afferent Projections to Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone and Somatostatin Neurons and the Degree of Colocalization of Neuropeptides in Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone and Somatostatin Cells of the Ovine Hypothalamus

Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research (J.I., I.J.C.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; AgResearch Invermay (T.R.M.), Mosgiel, New Zealand; Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale Unité 378 (P.C.), Institut Francois Magendie, F-33077 Cedex, Bordeaux, France

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Prof. Iain Clarke, Department of Physiology, Building 13F, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia. E-mail: iain.clarke{at}med.monash.edu.au.

Various neuropeptides and neurotransmitters affect GH secretion by acting on GHRH and somatostatin (SRIF) cells. GH secretion is also affected by alteration in adiposity, which could be via modulation of GHRH and SRIF cells. We quantified colocalization of neuropeptides in GHRH and SRIF cells and afferent projections to these cells in lean (food restricted) and normally fed sheep (n = 4/group). The number of GHRH-immunoreactive (IR) cells in the arcuate nucleus was higher in lean animals, but the number of SRIF-IR cells in the periventricular nucleus was similar in the two groups. A subpopulation of GHRH-IR cells colocalized neuropeptide Y in lean animals, but this was not seen in normally fed animals. GHRH/galanin (GAL) colocalization was higher in lean animals with no difference in numbers of GHRH/tyrosine hydroxylase or GHRH/GAL-like peptide cells. SRIF/enkephalin colocalization was lower in lean animals. The percentage of GHRH neurons receiving SRIF input was similar in lean and normally fed animals, but more GHRH cells received input from enkephalin afferents in normally fed animals. The percentage of SRIF cells receiving GHRH, neuropeptide Y, GAL, and orexin afferents was higher in lean animals. These findings provide an anatomical evidence of central mechanism(s) by which appetite-regulating peptides and dopamine could regulate GH secretion. Increased input to SRIF cells in lean animals may be inhibitory and permissive of increased GH. The appearance of NPY in GHRH cells of lean animals may be a mechanism for regulation of increasing GH secretion with reduced adiposity.

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