S. Amir et al., INDUCTION OF FOS PROTEIN IN THE PIRIFORM CORTEX AFTER BRAIN INJURY INPENTOBARBITAL-ANESTHETIZED RATS - LACK OF EFFECT OF LACTATION, Brain research, 652(2), 1994, pp. 341-345
The ability of lactation and progesterone administration to inhibit th
e induction of Fos protein in the piriform cortex after brain injury i
n pentobarbital-anaesthetized rats was assessed in three studies. Cons
istent with previous reports we found that brain injury-induced Fos ex
pression in the piriform cortex could be eliminated by the administrat
ion of the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK 801 (4 mg/kg i.
p.). Fos induction was not reduced, however, in lactating darns (days
7-9) post-partum or in progesterone-treated males. These results are n
ot consistent with the hypothesis that suckling stimulation and proges
terone have a direct effect at the NMDA receptor complex.