Status Of Female Rats Research Articles

Novel Hypothalamic and Preoptic Sites of Prepro‐Melanin‐Concentrating Hormone Messenger Ribonucleic Acid and Peptide Expression in Lactating Rats

The deduced structure of the rat melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) precursor predicted the existence of at least two peptides that may be processed from it, one similar to teleost MCH and a second novel neuropeptide, NEI. Cellular localization studies confirmed that prepro-MCH (ppMCH) mRNA and the MCH and NEI peptides are expressed predominantly in cells in the zona incerta and caudal lateral hypothalamic area with minor contingents seen in the olfactory tubercle and pons. A moderate MCH-and NEI-immunoreactive axonal projection to the median eminence and, particularly, to oxytocin-rich regions of the posterior pituitary suggested some anatomical heterogeneity of ppMCH-expressing neurons in the hypothalamus, and an involvement in neuroendocrine function. In the present study, immunohistochemical and hybridization histochemical methods were used to follow MCH gene and peptide expression as a function of reproductive status in female rats. Nursing dams sacrificed after 8 to 21 days of lactation consistently displayed ppMCH mRNA and MCH and NEI immunoreactivity in a discrete and contiguous band, encompassing the ventral aspect of the medial part of the medial preoptic nucleus, the periventricular preoptic nucleus, and the most rostral aspects of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH). Combined immunohistochemical (for oxytocin) and hybridization histochemical (for ppMCH mRNA) staining failed to reveal a significant degree of congruence in the two chemically-specified cell populations in the PVH of lactating dams. The apparent induction of ppMCH-derived peptides and mRNA in the preoptic area and PVH was not apparent in animals sacrificed 4 to 8 days after weaning, during late pregnancy, or at any point in the estrous cycle. Moreover, no frank alterations in ppMCH mRNA were evident in the principal sites at which ppMCH is expressed at constitutively high levels, i.e. in the lateral hypothalamic area and zona incerta, as a function of reproductive status. The loci and apparent state-dependency of the induction of ppMCH mRNA and peptide expression suggests a role for these gene products in the control of lactation.

Bone status of senescent female rats: Chemical, morphometric, and biomechanical analyses

The bone status of female rats, 6, 12, and 24 months of age was examined. Femur Ca, Pi, and osteocalcin contents, as well as biomechanical properties, were measured and correlated to physical indices and serum chemistry. Diaphyseal Ca, Pi, and osteocalcin did not change significantly with increasing age. Serum Ca and Pi concentrations were not altered in the aged rat. Immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels increased significantly with age, when analyzed by linear regression. Serum osteocalcin decreased progressively from 6 to 12 months (-21%) and from 12 to 24 months (-23%). Maximum breaking force required to fracture femurs at midshaft did not change with senescence. Hence, the strength of the femurs as an intact organ was not compromised in aging. However, ultimate stress, a parameter that normalizes for differences in bone geometry and size, decreased 14% from 12 to 24 months. Changes in other biomechanical parameters, including yield and ultimate deformation, strain, and modulus of elasticity, were relatively small, but statistically significant, or were negligible. Morphometric measurements indicated a progressive age-related increase in second moment of area and cortical area. Medullary area did not change with age. Therefore, strength of the intact femur was maintained by architectural compensations, although normalized tissue strength decreased in senescence. The bone status and Ca/Pi homeostasis of the female rat were compared to similar findings, reported previously, for the male animal. The results suggest that bone status and mineral metabolism were compromised in the aged female rat, but the magnitude of change was less than that found for the senescent male rat.

Vitamin A supply and biochemical development of the rat heart: studies on cellular DNA, RNA and protein

The effect of restricted vitamin A supply to the mother on the biochemical development of the heart in rats has been studied. The vitamin A status of female rats was varied by supplying low, medium and adequate amounts (6, 40, 100 micrograms retinol/day/kg body weight respectively) of vitamin A during pregnancy and suckling. The vitamin A status of the mother caused an alteration in the developmental pattern of fetal heart in parameters of tissue weight, DNA, RNA and protein contents and the biosynthesis of DNA and protein from [3H]-thymidine and [3H]-leucine respectively. A dose-dependent effect of vitamin A on the metabolism of DNA, RNA and protein was observed in the developing rat hearts. Hence, emphasis should be given to the adequate availability of vitamin A to dams for the normal growth and development of fetal organs.