Ontogeny of neuropeptide Y expression in response to deprivation in lean Zucker rat pups

Timothy J. Kowalski, Thomas A. Houpt, Jeongwon Jahng, Nori Okada, Streamson C. Chua, Gerard P. Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) activity is believed to play an important role in the response to food deprivation in adult rats. Little is known, however, about the role of the hypothalamic NPY system in the control of food intake in the preweanling rat. To address this issue, we examined the effect of deprivation on arcuate nucleus preproNPY expression in lean Zucker rat pups, using in situ hybridization. PreproNPY expression within the arcuate nucleus was localized to cells in the medial portion. Twenty-four hours of food, water, and maternal deprivation significantly increased the relative abundance of preproNPY mRNA in pups on postnatal day (P) 2, P9, P12, and P15 by 14-31%. This response, however, was not observed on P5. The absence of an effect on P5 and the magnitude of the response at the other ages tested were not correlated with the amount of weight lost during deprivation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)R466-R470
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology
Volume275
Issue number2 44-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Arcuate nucleus
  • In situ hybridization
  • Neonate
  • Starvation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)

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