NADPH-diaphorase activity increases during estrous phase in the bed nucleus of the accessory olfactory tract in the female rat

Brain Res. 2003 Sep 5;983(1-2):223-9. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(03)02973-1.

Abstract

We investigated the presence of nitric oxide in the bed nucleus of the accessory olfactory tract (BAOT) in males, diestrous females and estrous females using NADPH-diaphorase. Our results demonstrate a significant increase in the density of the medium-stained cells in the estrous female rats suggesting that during estrous a specific subpopulation of nitrinergic cells are activated in the BAOT. This might be related to the physiological and behavioral changes that occurs in estrous.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Size
  • Estrous Cycle / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Male
  • NADPH Dehydrogenase / metabolism*
  • Neurons / enzymology
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • Olfactory Pathways / cytology
  • Olfactory Pathways / enzymology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sex Characteristics

Substances

  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • Nos1 protein, rat
  • NADPH Dehydrogenase