The activity of single neurones in the hypothalamus of ovariectomized estrogen-treated cats immobilized by gallamine triethiodide was recorded by means of steel microelectrodes with simultaneous observation of presigmoidal EEG. Alterations in the firing rates of single units were analyzed during and after vaginal stimulation during anestrus and estrus animal. Unit responses to LH (3 Armour units) and oxytocin (0.3 U.) injection were also observed both at the anestrous and estrous states.
1. In the VMH of the hypothalamus, neurones were found which responded to LH administration by a long lasting decrease in unit firing rate with latency of 10-20 minutes in estrus and anestrus. Some ARC neurones showed an increase during estrus, and also an increase to a less degree in anestrus. Also, in the AHA some neurones were found which increased in discharge rate, but the change was less remarkable. The changes in the LHA or the PHY neurones were not clear.
2. Oxytocin sensitive neurones discrete from LH sensitive neurones were found in the hypothalamus. The unit discharge rate increased or decreased with latency of 40-80 seconds lasting for several minutes according to electrode location and to the phase of the sexual cycle.
The VMH neuronal activity showed a slight facilitation in estrus but a strong inhibition in anestrus. In the ventromedial part of the LHA and the AHA the unitary activity was inhibited by oxytocin during estrus, but facilitated in anestrus. Distribution of LHA responsive neurones in the dorsolateral portion of LHA was quite disperse.
3. The VMH neurones discharged in accordance with the change in presigmoidal EEG pattern. During vaginal stimulation in estrus the VMH neural. activity was inhibited or unchanged but after cessation of the stimulation it showed a transient facilitation with simultaneous appearance of spindle bursts. in presigmoidal EEG. A marked inhibition followed which lasted for more than 20 minutes, with cortical EEG spindle bursts intermingled with arousal waves.
Some AHA neurones in estrus showed a marked facilitation during vaginal stimulation, but no after-reaction was observed.
Most neurones in the ventromedial part of the LHA, both in estrus and anestrus, showed increased firing activity during vaginal stimulation. After the cessation of stimulation the activity began to decline simultaneously with the appearance of spindle bursts in the presigmoidal EEG, and after about 10 minutes the initial state was restored. Long-term alteration, such as that seen in the VMH, was not observed.
During estrus the neurones in the dorsolateral part of the LHA showed a transient increase in discharge activity after vaginal stimulation independent of the changes in presigmoidal EEG activity. In anestrus these neurones did not respond to vaginal stimulation.
Stimulation by other means such as pinching or touching, had an effect similar to vaginal stimulation, except that no after-reaction occurred.
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