Association of the Suckling-Weaning Transition with Development of the Hypothalamic Arcuate Nucleus Neurons in Rat Pups
Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: Feeding behavior is regulated by feeding-related peptides in the hypothalamus. The neurons of the arcuate nucleus (ARC), which produces feeding-related peptides, develop and function by three weeks of age in rodents. Because rodents are weaned at three weeks, we studied whether the process of weaning is involved in the development of ARC neurons using monosodium glutamate. Rat pups injected neonatally with monosodium glutamate ingested a large amount of mother's milk at weaning. Monosodium glutamate treatment induced a decrease in the number of ARC cells and mRNA levels of neuropeptide Y and agouti-related protein in the hypothalamus. The alteration of milk consumption following monosodium glutamate treatment appears to cause failure of ARC neuron development and neuropeptide expression.
Source: EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS
Authors: Tohru MIYATA, Yuji MINAI, Minoru HAGA
Institution: Tamagawa University
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2000721825