PROLONGED SUBORDINATION STRESS INCREASES CALBINDIN-D28K IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN THE RAT HIPPOCAMPAL CA1 AREA

Previously we observed that corticosteroids alter Calbindin-D28k immun oreactivity in the rat hippocampus. In the present study we investigat ed whether prolonged subordination stress, presumably producing elevat ed plasma corticosterone levels (1) altered the immunocytochemical dis tribution of the Ca2+-binding proteins Calbindin-D28k (PVir) and Parva lbumin (PVir) in the rat hippocampus, and (2) induced ongoing neurodeg enerative changes using a silver impregnation method. Eight days of su bordination stress reduced body weight, increased adrenal weight corre cted for body weight and reduced thymus weight, indicating its effecti veness to produce a stressful situation. Stress increased CBir selecti vely in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer whereas PVir was not altered. Sil ver-impregnation revealed no ongoing neurodegenerative changes in any of the hippocampal subfields.