NERVUS TERMINALIS RELAY OF CHEMICAL SIGNALS TO FOREBRAIN

本研究的目的是探讨这种蛋白质的可能功能， 终神经，在代表性的哺乳动物中，作为 化学信号从外部环境传递到 大脑的神经内分泌中心，并确定它是否单独或在 与嗅觉神经、犁鼻神经和/或三叉神经协调。 的 终神经是哺乳动物鼻的唯一神经成分 直接从鼻子投射到鼻中隔和视前区， 前脑，与接收有关的区域， 引起特定行为和激素变化的刺激的协调 与生殖功能有关。 这是最少研究的 “嗅觉”系统，因为很难区分它从 嗅觉神经和犁鼻神经。 最近发现的免疫反应性 促黄体激素（LHRH）在神经纤维束和过程中， 许多神经节细胞（包括终神经节） 有几种动物有这种神经，包括豚鼠，仓鼠，老鼠， 硬骨鱼现在可以在解剖学上区分 为研究这种神经的功能提供了工具。 具体 本研究的目的是（一）化学品（LHRH;其他可能的 激素和/或神经递质）和形态学表征的 免疫细胞化学、逆行追踪及光镜观察终神经 显微镜检查，可以评估实验变化;（II） 终神经LHRH系统功能的研究 在成年大鼠中，通过刺激反应测试， 外部（化学，包括性相关和热）刺激， 电生理记录和射频损伤，以确定 刺激对终神经的特异性和/或相关的 嗅觉系统;（III）通过免疫细胞化学的发展研究 胎鼠和新生鼠终神经LHRH系统的变化 与这种激素在大脑其他区域的最初出现有关， 脑和垂体前叶中的促黄体激素（LH）， 研究该系统在开发 中枢神经系统-垂体-性腺轴

The purpose of this research is to investigate the possible function of the nervus terminalis, in a representative mammal, as an intermediary in the relay of chemical signals from the external environment to the neuroendocrine centers of the brain and to determine if it acts alone or in concert with the olfactory, vomeronasal and/or trigeminal nerves. The nervus terminalis is the only neural component of the mammalian nose which projects directly from the nose to the septal and preoptic areas of the forebrain, regions which have been implicated in the reception and coordination of stimuli that evoke specific behavioral and hormonal changes relevant to reproductive function. It is the least studied of the "olfactory" systems because of difficulty in distinguishing it from the olfactory and vomeronasal nerves. The recent finding of immunoreactive luteinizing hormone (LHRH) in the nerve fiber bundles and processes and in many of the ganglion cells (including the ganglion terminale) associated with this nerve in several species including the guinea pig, hamster, rat and teleost fishes now makes an anatomical distinction feasible and provides a tool for investigating the function of this nerve. The specific objectives of this investigation are (I) a chemical (LHRH; other possible hormones and/or neurotransmitters) and morphometric characterization of the nervus terminalis by immunocytochemistry, retrograde tracing and light microscopy against which experimental changes can be evaluated; (II) an investigation of the function of the LHRH systems of the nervus terminalis in the adult rat by stimulus-response testing with internal (hormonal) and external (chemical, including sexually relevant and thermal) stimuli, electrophysiological recording and radio frequency lesions to determine the specificity of the stimulus for the nervus terminalis and/or related olfactory systems; (III) a study by immunocytochemistry of the development of the LHRH system of the nervus terminalis in the fetal and neonatal rat in relation to the initial appearance of this hormone in other areas of the brain and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the anterior pituitary and investigation of the possible function of this system in development of the central nervous system-pituitary-gonadal axis.