ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-FACTOR EFFECTS ON NOREPINEPHRINE UPTAKE IN DISCRETE TELENCEPHALIC AND DIENCEPHALIC NUCLEI OF THE RAT

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) effects on norepinephrine (NE) uptake in olfactory bulb, preoptic, periventricular, supraoptic, paraventricu lar and arcuate nuclei and median eminence of the rat were studied. Ex periments were carried out in vitro on nuclei punched out according to the Palkovitz and Brownstein technique. Results showed that 100 nM AN F enhanced NE uptake in all nuclei studied. These data suggest that AN F may be indirectly involved in the regulation of neuroendocrine proce sses, behavioral arousal, sexual behavior, water and electrolyte balan ce, arterial blood pressure, etc., through the modulation of central n oradrenergic neurotransmission.