M. Engelmann et al., SWIM STRESS TRIGGERS THE RELEASE OF VASOPRESSIN WITHIN THE SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEUS OF MALE RATS, Brain research, 792(2), 1998, pp. 343-347
The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the predominant pace
maker of the mammalian brain that generates and controls circadian rhy
thms of various endocrine and behavioral processes. Different lines of
evidence suggest that stress interferes with the maintenance of such
rhythms. As a first approach to investigate whether the neuropeptide a
rginine vasopressin (AVP), which shows circadian rhythms of synthesis
and release within the SCN, might contribute to this stress-induced al
terations in circadian rhythms, we monitored acute effects of swim str
ess on the intra-SCN release of AVP in male rats by means of the micro
dialysis technique. A 10-min forced swimming session triggered a marke
d but relatively short-lasting increase in the intranuclear release of
AVP (to approx. 440%). This effect was restricted to the area contain
ing predominantly somata and dendrites of vasopressinergic neurons, si
nce no changes in AVP release could be measured in one of their major
projection areas, the nucleus of the dorsomedial hypothalamus. Our dat
a provide evidence that the amount of AVP released within the SCN can
vary widely not only in accordance with AVP's intrinsically regulated
circadian rhythm but also in response to a physiologically relevant st
ressor. In this way, the neuropeptide may contribute to the regulation
of endocrine and behavioral rhythms particularly in challenging situa
tions associated with resettings of the endogenous clock. (C) 1998 Els
evier Science B.V.