Distribution of nitric oxide synthase in the rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris) brain I: The diencephalon

•Nitric oxide synthase is highly expressed in the hypothalamus of rock cavy.•Few nuclei of the thalamus of rock cavy express NOS.•PVH, SO and the mammillary region of the hypothalamus have the highest density of nitrergic neurons. Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly soluble and membrane-permeable neurotra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain research 2018-04, Vol.1685, p.60-78
Main Authors: Reis, Maria Emanuela Martins dos, Araújo, Lucimário Thiago Félix de, de Andrade, Wylqui Mikael Gomes, Resende, Nayra da Silva, Lima, Ruthnaldo Rodrigues Melo de, Nascimento, Expedito Silva do, Costa, Miriam Stela Maris de Oliveira, Cavalcante, Judney Cley
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Female
Geniculate Bodies - metabolism
Guinea Pigs
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus - metabolism
Immunohistochemistry - methods
Male
NADPH Dehydrogenase - metabolism
Neurons - metabolism
Nitric oxide
Nitric Oxide - metabolism
Nitric oxide synthase
Nitric Oxide Synthase - metabolism
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I - metabolism
Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus - metabolism
Preoptic Area - metabolism
Rock cavy
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Summary:•Nitric oxide synthase is highly expressed in the hypothalamus of rock cavy.•Few nuclei of the thalamus of rock cavy express NOS.•PVH, SO and the mammillary region of the hypothalamus have the highest density of nitrergic neurons. Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly soluble and membrane-permeable neurotransmitter, so it does not need to be packed in vesicles or have a membrane receptor. In the nervous system, NO is synthesized by the neuronal form of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme and has been considered as a local neurotransmitter. NOS distribution is widespread in the nervous system of various vertebrate species, which may explain its participation in many functions such as memory, blood pressure regulation and sexual behavior. Here we used immunohistochemistry against NOS and NADPH diaphorase histochemistry to map the distribution of NO in the diencephalon of the rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris), a rodent endemic to the Brazilian Northeast. Rock cavy has crepuscular habits and is adapted to ecological conditions such as heat and scarcity of water and food. This study found that NOS distribution was more concentrated in the hypothalamus of this animal. Among the hypothalamic nuclei, the median preoptic, supraoptic, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, ventral and dorsal premammillary nucleus, supramammillary nucleus, lateral mammillary nucleus and dorsal hypothalamic nucleus had the largest collections of NOS immunoreactive (NOS-ir) neurons. Some nuclei of the thalamus and epithalamus such as the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, the medial geniculate nucleus and the lateral habenula showed NOS-ir neurons. This distribution is similar to that described in other rodents, indicating that NO also has an important role in rock cavy's physiology.
ISSN:0006-8993
1872-6240
DOI:10.1016/j.brainres.2018.01.020