Electrochemical Stimulation Research Articles

Effects of surface potentials of tooth hard tissue on bone remodeling in rabbit tibiae

To investigate the influence of surface potentials of tooth hard tissue on bone remodeling. After insured the surface potentials of human extracted teeth with electrochemical methods, teeth sections and artificial hydroxyapatite were implanted into 25 rabbits' tibiae. The rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after implantation, respectively. The bone regeneration was compared between opposite two sides (cathode side and anode side) of tooth sections using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity detecting and tetracycline tracing method. Resorption lacunae was seen in the tibiae facing to the enamel anode and new bone density in the implant bed near the cathode of tooth samples was much higher than that near the anode, while the number of TRAP positive cells near the cathode was smaller than that near the anode (P < 0.01). The fluorescent area of tetracycline tracing near the cathode was larger than that near the anode (P < 0.05). The cathode of tooth hard tissue (cementum) could improve or trigger new bone formation, while the other side, anode (enamel), could improve the bone resorption. This study suggests that tooth hard tissue's electrochemical characteristic might affect the remodeling of alveolar bone, and tooth supraeruption and the alveolar bone loss after tooth extraction might result from the redundant or lack of root electrochemical stimulation to bone.

Force generation from polypyrrole actuators

The force generated by a polypyrrole (PPy) actuator operating under isometric conditionshas been shown to decrease as the preload force applied to the actuator increases. Theorigin of the decrease in the force generated was found to be the change in modulus thatoccurs upon electrochemical stimulation of the polypyrrole. A simple analytical model isintroduced to describe these effects. The relationship between the force generated andthe actuator strain is explained using this model for both isometric and isotonicmodes of operation. In addition, different means for bundling PPy fibres wereinvestigated to optimize both the isotonic strain and the isometric force generated.

Patternable bi-ionic actuator: an example of new functionality of actuation, folding and unfolding of electrochemical spring

A new type of bending actuation, attained for folding and unfolding of a film, has been successfully demonstrated by patterning technique. The films exhibiting such behaviors were fabricated by the three steps of successive electrodeposition of PPy layers with masking technique. This has resulted into a film having the patchwork quilt form, constituted with two types of bi-ionic bending units [W. Takashima, S.S. Pandey, K. Kaneto, Sens. Actuators B 89 (2003) 48–52]. Cyclic electrochemical stimulation on the film, having a stripe shape pattern, successfully induced the reversible folding and unfolding deformations in the oxidized and the reduced states, respectively. Thus, such a film exhibiting its performance like a linear actuator can be visualized as an electrochemically active spring. The total length of the spring was found to change reversibly from 100% in maximum (unfolded) to 40% in minimum (folded) states, indicating to possess an extra-large strain of 60%. The stripe-pitch dependence on bending performance elucidates that the small pitch facilitates the bending performance because of high torque as well as effective bending. The results can be expressed as the enhancement of load-lifting performance by structural optimization for effective collection of the torque to a desired direction.

Electrochemical and spectroscopic characteristics of dimethyl terephthalate

Electrochemical and spectroscopic measurements with CV, chronoamperometry and in situ spectrometry were carried out for dimethyl terephthalate, which showed vivid color change upon electrochemical stimulation, to clarify its electrochromic characteristics.

Potentiostatic Oxidation of Polyaniline under Conformational Relaxation Control: Experimental and Theoretical Study

Electrogenerated films of polyaniline were studied by potential steps in acetonitrile solutions to check for the presence of compaction, relaxation, and diffusion processes giving like-nucleation chronoamperograms such as those described by the electrochemically stimulated conformational relaxation (ESCR) model. This solvent was used to avoid both proton discharge during cathodic compaction of the film at high cathodic potentials and proton exchange during redox processes. Chronoamperograms obtained from different cathodic potentials to different anodic potentials under different concentrations of electrolyte or at different temperatures indicate the presence of compaction, relaxation, nucleation, and diffusion processes under electrochemical stimulation. The ESCR model, developed to describe the electrochemical behavior of polypyrrole films by the quantification of these processes, was used to determine if it can be applied to simulate the chronoamperometric responses of the polyaniline and the influence of the different variables on the experimental chronoamperograms. Constants required to simulate the chronoamperograms were obtained from experimental results: the same model indicates the required experimental conditions. Good agreement was obtained between simulated and experimental results.

Electrochemically stimulated 2‐ethylhexyl phosphate (EHP) release through redox switching of conducting polypyrrole film and polypyrrole/poly (N‐methylpyrrole) or self‐doped polyaniline bilayers

Abstract2‐Ethylhexyl phosphate (EHP) released from poly(pyrrole 2‐ethylhexyl phosphate) (PP‐EHP) was investigated at open circuit and compared with electrochemically stimulated release during potential cycling. It was found that the fast EHP release from the PP‐EHP single layer is substantially retarded and that amounts of spontaneously and electrochemically released EHP can be reduced by constructing bilayers, consisting of a PP‐EHP inner layer and a poly(N‐methylpyrrole)‐poly(styrene sulfonate) (PNMP‐PSS) or self‐doped poly(aniline) sulfonate (SPANI) as the outer films. The presence of outer film over the PP‐EHP allowed surface‐property modification, as well as the control of the rate of EHP release, while electrochemically stimulated EHP release from inner films was not substantially hampered by the outer layer. The quantity of the EHP released was investigated using UV‐vis spectrophotometery and an electrochemical quartz‐crystal microbalance (EQCM) during reduction of PP‐EHP from single layer and bilayers through electrochemical stimulation. EHP was reincorporated to the inner film by applying an anodic potential and then the release of EHP was performed again. The results showed that the outer film could act as a barrier to ion‐and solvent‐transport between the inner film and electrolyte, yielding a more balanced counter‐directional movement of anions.© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry

The effects of varying deposition current density on bending behaviour in PPy(DBS)-actuated bending beams

Polypyrrole(dodecylbenzene sulfonate), a type of conjugated polymer that can change volume under electrochemical stimulation, was electrochemically deposited on metal-coated Kapton ® strips using current densities that ranged from 0.4 to 40 mA/cm 2. The resulting bending beams were subjected to various voltage and current stimulation waveforms, and the beam movements and electrochemical activity were recorded. The extent of beam curling during cyclic voltammetry and potential stepping correlated inversely with deposition current density. However, during current stepping, the curling did not depend on deposition current density. Rather, it depended only on the amount of charge exchanged.

Controlled dethreading/rethreading of a scorpion-like pseudorotaxane and a related macrobicyclic self-complexing system

A scorpion-like pseudorotaxane (1·H2+), composed of a macrocyclic polyether containing a 1,5-dioxynaphthalene (1,5-DON) and a 1,3-dioxybenzene (1,3-DOB) electron-donor unit, the latter bearing a 4,4′-bipyridinium electron-acceptor tail, underwent threading/dethreading motions under control of (i) solvent polarity and (ii) solution acidity. Furthermore, the complexation of 1 ·H2+ with the trans-1,2-bis(1-benzyl-4-pyridinio)ethylene electron acceptor can be acid/base controlled. The spectroscopic properties of a related macrobicyclic compound 24+ (comprised of an electron-donor and an electron-acceptor macrocycle that share a benzene ring) have also been investigated. The results obtained for 24+ are consistent with the presence of intramolecular self-complexed species where the electron-donor macrocycle is threaded through the electron-acceptor one. Electrochemical experiments confirm the self-complexing structures of 1·H2+ and 24+. It seems likely that both compounds undergo decomplexation upon electrochemical stimulation.

The dynamical response of a hydrogel fiber to electrochemical stimulation

The preparation of a smart hydrogel fiber based on chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol) is presented. The dynamics of this hydrogel fiber in response to electric stimulation is reported. The effects of a number of factors have been systematically studied, including the fiber diameter, concentration of the crosslinking agent, electric potential imposed across the fiber, pH, and ionic strength of the bath solution. Fiber deformation is expressed in terms of the curvature at the midlength of the fiber for various times. The number of bending to a given extent within a given time period is used to describe the rate of cyclic deformation. Our experimental results show a stable reversibility of bending behavior under the applied electric field. The bending curvature is proportional to the intensity of the applied electric potential. Although adequate mechanical properties are maintained, the rate of deformation can be improved via the adjustment of a number of the aforementioned extrinsic factors. These observations are interpreted in terms of fiber stiffness, fixed charge density, and swelling pressure, which depend on the hydrogel equilibrium states in different pH and ionic environments along with the electrochemical reactions under the electric field. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 236–246, 2001

Actuative properties of polyaniline fibers under electrochemical stimulation

In the last period, the interest in the development of devices that simulate the properties of the ‘par excellence’ biological actuator, the human muscle, is considerably grown. The recent advances in the field of conducting polymers open new interesting prospects in this direction: by this point of view polyaniline (PANi), since it is easily produced in fiber form, represents an interesting material. In this paper, we illustrate the development of a linear actuator prototype that makes use of PANi fibers. All fabrication steps (fiber extrusion, solid polymer electrolyte preparation, compound realization) and experimental set-up are described. Quantitative measurements of isotonic length changes and isometric stress generation during electrochemical stimulation are performed. An overall assessment of the PANi fibers actuative properties in wet and dry conditions is reported and possible future developments are proposed.

Electrochemical stimulation of the median eminence evokes FSH but not LH release after LHRH antagonist treatment in vivo and in vitro.

Experimental data suggest that a follicle stimulating hormone-releasing factor (FSH-RF) distinct from luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) exists. In the present study, we investigated, in short-term ovariectomized (OVX) rats, whether FSH-RF(s) can be released from nerve terminals by electrochemical stimulation (ECS) of the median eminence. To prevent the effect of LHRH liberated by ECS, 100 microg of a potent LHRH antagonist (MI-1544) was administered to one group of OVX rats 60 min before ECS. Two groups of OVX rats were used as controls. One group was treated with the solvent of the LHRH antagonist 60 min before the ECS; the other group received sham-ECS only. In-vitro experiments using a hypothalamus-pituitary coperifusion system were also performed to investigate the direct effect of ECS of the median eminence on LH and FSH release from pituitary cells. ECS in vivo induced 4.6-fold (P<0.01) and 10.2-fold (P<0.01) elevation of serum LH concentration, measured by RIA at 10 min and 60 min after ECS, respectively. Serum FSH concentrations increased 1.35-fold at 10 min (P<0.01) and 1.50-fold at 60 min (P<0.01) after ECS, compared with sham-stimulated controls. Administration of LHRH antagonist attenuated the ECS-induced release of LH by 44% at 10 min and prevented it entirely at 60 min after ECS. However, the ECS-induced release of FSH was not modified by the antagonist at 10 min and was diminished by only 17% at 60 min after ECS, compared with solvent-treated and stimulated controls. Immunohistological examination of the hypothalami showed that LHRH-immunoreactivity was depleted in the region of ECS. In the study in vitro, substances released from the fragments of mediobasal hypothalami bearing ECS in the median eminence induced significant release of both LH and FSH, and the induced release of LH, but not FSH, was prevented by the LHRH antagonist. The present study suggests that FSH-releasing factor(s) different from LHRH can be released from the median eminence and that a significant portion of FSH secretion is independent of the control of LHRH.

Hierarchical Mixture Models in Neurological Transmission Analysis

Hierarchically structured mixture models are studied in the context of data analysis and inference on neural synaptic transmission characteristics in mammalian, and other, central nervous systems. Mixture structures arise due to uncertainties about the stochastic mechanisms governing the responses to electrochemical stimulation of individual neurotransmitter release sites at nerve junctions. Models attempt to capture such scientific features as the sensitivity of individual synaptic transmission sites to electrochemical stimuli and the extent of their electrochemical responses when stimulated. This is done via suitably structured classes of prior distributions for parameters describing these features. Such priors may be structured to permit assessment of currently topical scientific hypotheses about fundamental neural function. Posterior analysis is implemented via stochastic simulation. Several data analyses are described to illustrate the approach, with resulting neurophysiological insights in some recently generated experimental contexts. Further developments and open questions, both neurophysiological and statistical, are noted.

Dual effect of electrochemical stimulation of the medial preoptic area on the release of LH: possible neurotransmitter involvement.

Electrochemical and electrical stimulation of the medial preoptic area (MPA) was shown to induce release of LH in rats. Owing to differences in cytoarchitecture and neural afferents between the medial (mMPA) and lateral (lMPA) parts of the MPA, we decided to explore whether this difference in organization would distinctly influence the secretion of gonadotropin. Both parts of the MPA were electrochemically stimulated on the day of proestrus in freely behaving rats bearing chronic implanted electrodes. An anodic direct current of 100 microA was delivered for 40 s at 11.00 h and blood samples were obtained every hour until 17.00 h. Serum LH concentrations in rats stimulated in the medial part of the MPA showed a robust rise 1 h after the stimulus was applied and the values remained high up to the end of the bleeding period. All these animals ovulated. An initial rise in serum LH was also seen in rats stimulated in the lMPA but serum values thereafter returned to basal levels, significantly lower than those in the mMPA-stimulated or in control, nonstimulated rats. Only 2 rats showed full ovulation and the others failed to ovulate or had partial ovulation. Injection of the serotonin antagonist, methysergide, did not affect the response of rats stimulated in either the mMPA or lMPA. The GABA antagonist, bicuculline, had no effect on LH release evoked by lMPA stimulation but blocked the release induced by mMPA stimulation. This later blockade was partially reversed by the administration of the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone, suggesting the existence of GABA facilitatory influences on LH release via inhibition of opioidergic inputs to the GnRH neurons. On the other hand, naloxone administration had no effect on LH release evoked by stimulation of the mMPA but partially reversed the inhibition resulting from stimulating the lMPA. These data indicate that the mMPA and lMPA have opposite effects on LH secretion and provide evidence for the possible neurotransmitters involved.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol attenuates luteinizing hormone release induced by electrochemical stimulation of the medial preoptic area.

Despite diverse pharmacological actions, drugs commonly used for blocking ovulation in the rat have not been observed to exert differential effects on the LH response to preoptic stimulation, thus suggesting blocking action above the final hypothalamic GnRH pathway. To determine if ovulatory blockade by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is consistent with that scheme, LH surges evoked by preoptic stimulation were contrasted with those elicited during blockade by atropine (ATR), a classic ovulation-blocking agent with which other drugs have been compared. THC (10 mg/kg) or ATR (350 mg/kg) treatment before the proestrous critical period uniformly blocked LH release and ovulation in sham-stimulated rats. Preoptic stimulation evoked LH surges after both drug treatments (p less than 0.001), peak levels increasing with the intensity of stimulation (p less than 0.05). However, both maximum LH concentration (p less than 0.05) and total integrated LH release (p less than 0.01) were lower in THC-blocked rats. Inspection of the oviducts revealed no difference in the incidence of ovulation or the number of ova discharged. The reduced LH response during THC blockade was not attributable to variation in the extent or locus of histologically determined stimulation sites. These results distinguish THC from ATR and, by extension, other blocking drugs that do not overtly affect the LH response to preoptic stimulation. Thus, ovulatory blockade by THC may involve a different mechanism, which likely includes inhibitory action within the preoptic-to-tuberal GnRH pathway.

Morphine but not Naloxone Enhances Luteinizing Hormone‐Releasing Hormone Neuronal Responsiveness to Norepinephrine

Some axon terminals of hypothalamic opiate neurons directly synapse on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons. To determine whether such synaptic connections affect LHRH neuronal activity, we have examined the profiles and concentrations of LH released in response to intracerebroventricular (icv) norepinephrine (NE, 45 μg) infusions alone or following medial preoptic area (MPOA) electrochemical stimulation (ECS) in estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats. Similar studies were performed in rats treated with naloxone (5 mg/kg ip) or morphine (20 mg/kg sc) given 15 min prior to MPOA-ECS or 30 min prior to icv NE. Naloxone neither augmented nor suppressed the LH response obtained with NE alone. MPOA-ECS evoked a significant increase in plasma LH. When the preoptic area was stimulated (0 min) and NE was infused at 30 min, a significant amplification of LH release occurred. Prior treatment of rats (-15 min) with naloxone had no effect on LH responses elicited by either preoptic stimulation alone or combined with icv NE. In the second study, morphine was given sc and had no effect on basal plasma LH levels. However, when morphine was given (-15 min) and icv NE infusions were made (30 min), the rise in plasma LH induced by NE was significantly enhanced. Preoptic ECS (0 min) evoked a rise in plasma LH and this response was also enhanced by morphine pretreatment. The major effect on LH release occurred when sc morphine injections (-15 min) were combined with MPOA-ECS (0 min) followed by icv NE (30 min). In these rats, a remarkable and highly significant release of LH occurred which reached peak levels even greater than those observed during spontaneous LH surges (2,392 versus 16 to 1,800 ng/ml). Since morphine has profound effects on the serotonergic system, in the third series of studies, morphine was infused into the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and LH responses to MPOA-ECS or icv NE alone or following combined ECS + NE were examined. DRN morphine did not affect basal LH release but it produced a rapid and highly significant rise in plasma prolactin. When DRN morphine was given (-15 min) and NE was infused icv (30 min), there was marked amplification in LH release compared to those values observed after only NE. However, there were no appreciable differences in LH values obtained after sc versus DRN morphine injections in response to NE. Similarly, the amplification of LH release which occurred following DRN morphine (-15 min) + MPOA-ECS (0 min) was not different from that obtained after sc morphine. In the final group of rats, DRN morphine was given (-15 min), the preoptic area was stimulated (0 min) and NE was infused (30 min). Following this treatment, plasma LH release was also markedly enhanced and did not differ appreciably (except at 60 and 120 min) from the levels of LH released after sc morphine. Prolactin concentrations rose slowly after icv NE to reach peak levels 75 min after treatment. Combinations of morphine + MPOA-ECS without or with NE neither augmented nor suppressed the high prolactin concentrations achieved after only DRN morphine infusions. We conclude from these data that: 1) those opiate neuronal terminals which synapse directly on LHRH neurons do not affect LHRH neuronal responsiveness to either NE, to MPOA-ECS or to combined preoptic stimulation+ NE, and 2) morphine has profound effects on LHRH neuronal responsiveness to both NE, to MPOA-ECS and, in particular, to combined ECS + NE. Since amplification of LH release occurs after treatment of rats with morphine either by sc injections or DRN infusions, the augmented LH and prolactin responses observed are most likely due to the morphine-induced release of serotonin and not to direct morphine effects on LHRH neurons.

Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Activity of the Preoptic Area and Hypothalamus Is Influenced by the Serotonergic System

The effect of the serotonergic system on glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity of the preoptic area and the hypothalamus was studied in female rats on the day of proestrus. A circadian rhythm of GAD activity was observed with higher values in rats killed at 1130 h than in rats killed at 1500 h. In rats bearing lesions of the median raphe nucleus (MRn), a nucleus that sends 5-hydroxytryptamine nerve terminals to the areas under study decreased GAD activity. On the contrary, electrochemical stimulation of the MRn enhanced GAD activity in intact rats killed at 1500 h, but not in those killed at 1130 h, an effect that was prevented by the injection of the 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonist, methysergide. Furthermore, the injection of 5-hydroxytryptamine into the third ventricle, either in intact rats in the afternoon or in MRn-lesioned rats in the morning, also increased GAD activity. The results of the present study suggest that activation of the serotonergic system increases GAD activity in the preoptic area and hypothalamus.

Effects of Tumor-Induced Hyperprolactinemia on LH Secretion following Stimulation of the Medial Preoptic Area, Pituitary Responsiveness and the Estrogen-Induced LH Surge

In the present study we utilized the 7315a PRL- and ACTH-secreting tumor to induce a hyperprolactinemic (HP) state sufficient to profoundly suppress the postcastration LH rise in female rats. Tumor-induced prolactin levels which ranged 2,000-3,000 ng/ml substantially reduced the LH rise in both ovariectomized (OVX) and OVX + estradiol-17 beta (E2)-treated rats. Bilateral electrochemical stimulation (ECS, 100 microA DC for 60 s) of the ventral diagonal band of Broca-medial preoptic area (DBB-MPOA) resulted in comparable LH responses in control and HP rats in the presence of absence of estradiol. Transient decreases in PRL release occurred following ECS of the DBB-MPOA. Pituitary responsiveness was assessed with two LHRH challenges spaced 60 min apart at doses of 25 and 50 ng LHRH/100 g body weight. The mean maximal LH increments (delta LH) to some of these LHRH challenges were decreased in HP rats. Finally, the LH surge induced in the afternoon in OVX + E2-treated rats was diminished 71% by the presence of the PRL-secreting tumor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

γ-Aminobutyric Acid-A and -B Receptor Antagonists Increase Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Neuronal Responsiveness to Intracerebroventricular Norepinephrine in Ovariectomized Estrogen-Treated Rats*

These studies determined whether endogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) secretion affects LHRH neuronal responsiveness to norepinephrine (NE). The intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of either bicuculline or phaclofen (GABA-A or GABA-B receptor antagonists, respectively) into ovariectomized (OVX) estrogen-treated rats did not affect basal LH levels (95 +/- 8.5 ng/ml) obtained over the 120 min of this study. When NE was infused icv, it produced a modest rise in plasma LH, which peaked within 15 min (240 +/- 25 ng/ml) and then declined toward baseline over the next 90 min. In contrast, if bicuculline was given icv at about time zero, and NE was infused (icv) 15 min later, plasma LH secretion was markedly increased and reached a peak concentration of 723 +/- 98 ng/ml within 15 min after NE treatment. Similarly, when bicuculline was infused into the medial preoptic area (MPOA), and NE was given 15 min later (icv), a peak LH level of 726 +/- 105 ng/ml was obtained within 15 min. If phaclofen was given icv at about time zero, and NE was infused 15 min later, LH rose dramatically to reach a peak concentration of 844 +/- 126 ng/ml within 15 min; a similar amplified LH response occurred when the GABA-B antagonist was infused into the MPOA and icv NE was given 15 min later. Comparisons of the LH responses obtained over the 120 min of the study suggest that icv infusions of the GABA-B receptor antagonist were more effective in sustaining peak LH secretion than the GABA-A receptor antagonist. In other groups of rats, the MPOA was electrochemically stimulated (ECS), and the effects of icv NE alone or combined with GABA receptor antagonists were evaluated. MPOA ECS alone induced a significant rise in plasma LH, which peaked between 35-45 min and then declined to approach basal levels by 150 min. In a second group, the MPOA was ECS, and at 30 min NE was infused icv. Plasma LH levels in these rats remained significantly elevated for the next 30 min before beginning their decline. In other animals, the MPOA was stimulated, and 15 min later either bicuculline or phaclofen was infused icv. Neither drug affected the patterns or concentrations of LH obtained after MPOA ECS alone. However, when rats received MPOA ECS plus either icv bicuculline or phaclofen, and these treatments were followed 15 min later by icv infusions of NE, LH secretion patterns and levels were altered significantly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Further evidence of an opposite effect of dorsal and median raphe nuclei on the proestrous surge of LH

The effect of stimulation or lesions of either the dorsal or the median raphe nucleus on the proestrous surge of LH and on ovulation was studied in rats kept under constant illumination. Electrochemical stimulation (anodic DC of 100 microA during 30 sec) was applied at noon on the day of proestrus through chronically implanted electrodes. Lesions of the raphe nuclei were made by passing a cathodic current of 1 mA for 20 sec through nichrome electrodes stereotaxically implanted. Blood samples from freely behaving rats were obtained hourly through cannulae inserted into the jugular vein. Rats under constant light from diestrous day 1 or diestrous day 2 showed a delay in the onset of the LH surge of the next proestrus. Stimulation applied into the median raphe nucleus inhibited proestrous LH release and blocked ovulation, whereas stimulation of the dorsal raphe nucleus resulted in enhanced LH release in rats under constant light from diestrous day 2 but not from diestrous day 1. In turn, in rats bearing lesions in the dorsal raphe nucleus LH surges were decreased and ovulation was blocked, but rats with lesions in the median raphe nucleus exhibited enhanced LH release. It is concluded that the dorsal and the median raphe nuclei exert opposite effects on the proestrous surge of LH and on ovulation.

A Comparison of the Effects of Medial Preoptic Electrical Versus Electrochemical Stimulation on Luteinizing Hormone‐Releasing Hormone Neuronal Responsiveness to Norepinephrine

Abstract Recently, we reported that luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons of estrogen-treated, ovariectomized rats have only limited responsiveness to norepinephrine (NE). These conclusions were based upon observations that NE, when infused intracerebroventricularly, produced only minor increases in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), whereas, similar infusions following preliminary medial preoptic area (MPOA) electrochemical stimulation (ECS) markedly amplified LH secretion. One difficulty with this approach is that ECS produces an irritative lesion and deposits iron within the tissue, whereas, electrical stimulation (ES) does not have such effects. Accordingly, in the present study, we compared the effects of MPOA-ECS versus -ES on LHRH neuronal responsiveness to NE. While equivalent peak LH concentrations occurred within 15 min after MPOA-ECS or -ES, in the ECS group, LH release was sustained, whereas, it abruptly ceased upon termination of ES (at 15 min). The intracerebroventricular pulse infusion of NE at the time of peak LH secretion (30 min) in MPOA-ECS animals markedly amplified LH release. In these animals, plasma LH remained significantly elevated for 75 min before a decline was observed. In contrast, an infusion of NE at the time of maximal LH release in ES rats (16 min) did not augment LH secretion. The second series of studies examined the effects of MPOA infusions of NE in animals receiving preoptic ES. A single infusion of NE 16 min after ES (i.e. one min after termination of ES) did not amplify LH release, but when two NE pulses were given at 5 and 16 min after beginning preoptic ES, peak plasma LH levels were maintained for an additional 30 min before a decline occurred. Pretreatment of rats with a yS-adrenoreceptor antagonist (propranolol) or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor did not affect peak LH responses obtained after either MPOA-ES alone or combined with two pulses of NE infused into the MPOA at 5 and 16 min. We conclude that following cessation of MPOA-ES, LHRH neurons rapidly lose their responsiveness to NE, whereas, rats which received MPOA-ECS retain such responsiveness possibly due to the stimulative properties of the iron deposited by the ECS. Presumably, for NE to trigger an LH surge requires prior removal of some intrinsic inhibitory control which regulates LHRH neuronal responsiveness to NE.