AFFERENTS ORIGINATING FROM THE DORSAL PENILE NERVE EXCITE OXYTOCIN CELLS IN THE HYPOTHALAMIC PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS OF THE RAT

Citation
M. Yanagimoto et al., AFFERENTS ORIGINATING FROM THE DORSAL PENILE NERVE EXCITE OXYTOCIN CELLS IN THE HYPOTHALAMIC PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS OF THE RAT, Brain research, 733(2), 1996, pp. 292-296
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Neurosciences
Journal title
ISSN journal
00068993
Volume
733
Issue
2
Year of publication
1996
Pages
292 - 296
Database
ISI
SICI code
0006-8993(1996)733:2<292:AOFTDP>2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
Electrical stimulation of the dorsal penile nerve (DPN) produced ortho dromic excitation in about half of oxytocin cells in the paraventricul ar nucleus (PVN). In contrast, less than 10% of vasopressin cells were excited. Tactile stimulation of the glans penis by a paintbrush produ ced excitation in 40% of oxytocin cells. Castration did not prevent ac tivation of oxytocin cells. These results suggest that somatosensory i nformation from the penis is transmitted to the PVN through the DPN an d that such afferent input preferentially innervates oxytocin cells.