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NPY-mRNA expressions in the nucleus accumbens, caudate putamen and cerebral cortex of apomorphine-susceptible and apomorphine-unsusceptible rats

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Abstract

Using the apomorphine-induced stereotyped gnawing response as a selection criterion, two distinct groups of rats can be distinguished, apomorphine-susceptible (APO-SUS) and apomorphine-unsusceptible (APO-UNSUS) rats. These two lines differ in several components of both striatal and extrastriatal areas. This study deals with the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY)mRNA-expressing neurons in the nucleus accumbens, caudate putamen and cerebral cortex of both rat lines, using non-radioactive in situ hybridisation. The morphology of the neurons in the three regions is similar, viz. oblong, rectangular or triangular, with two or three processes. The neurons are homogeneously distributed in all regions, and in the nucleus accumbens they are particularly numerous ventrally to the anterior commissure. Using automated image analysis, the mean numerical density of NPYmRNA-positive neurons per brain region and the mean NPYmRNA expression level per neuron per brain region were determined. No differences appear in the numerical densities of NPYmRNA-containing neurons in the nucleus accumbens, caudate putamen and cortex between APO-SUS and APO-UNSUS rats. However, distinct differences between the rat lines are present in the level of NPYmRNA expression per neuron in the nucleus accumbens and in the caudate putamen, showing that NPY contributes to the differential neurochemical make-up of these rat lines that is responsible for their obvious differences in behaviour, physiology and immune competence.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully thank Mr. Dick Heeren for statistical evaluation and Dr. Hans J. Meek for advice on morphometry.

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  1. W. P. J. M. Spooren

    Present address: Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cellular Animal Physiology, Nijmegen Institute for Neurosciences, University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    E. W. Roubos

  2. Department of Psychoneuropharmacology, Nijmegen Institute for Neurosciences, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    W. P. J. M. Spooren & A. R. Cools

  3. Department of Molecular Animal Physiology, Nijmegen Institute for Neurosciences, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    G. J. M. Martens

  4. Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Nijmegen Institute for Neurosciences, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    J. G. Veening

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  1. E. W. Roubos
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Correspondence to E. W. Roubos.

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Roubos, E.W., Spooren, W.P.J.M., Martens, G.J.M. et al. NPY-mRNA expressions in the nucleus accumbens, caudate putamen and cerebral cortex of apomorphine-susceptible and apomorphine-unsusceptible rats. Cell Tissue Res 313, 209–215 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-003-0760-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-003-0760-y

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