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Oti T, Sakamoto H. Neuropeptidergic control circuits in the spinal cord for male sexual behaviour: Oxytocin-gastrin-releasing peptide systems. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13324. [PMID: 37515539 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
The neuropeptidergic mechanisms controlling socio-sexual behaviours consist of complex neuronal circuitry systems in widely distributed areas of the brain and spinal cord. At the organismal level, it is now becoming clear that "hormonal regulations" play an important role, in addition to the activation of neuronal circuits. The gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) system in the lumbosacral spinal cord is an important component of the neural circuits that control penile reflexes in rats, circuits that are commonly referred to as the "spinal ejaculation generator (SEG)." Oxytocin, long known as a neurohypophyseal hormone, is now known to be involved in the regulation of socio-sexual behaviors in mammals, ranging from social bonding to empathy. However, the functional interaction between the SEG neurons and the hypothalamo-spinal oxytocin system remains unclear. Oxytocin is known to be synthesised mainly in hypothalamic neurons and released from the posterior pituitary into the circulation. Oxytocin is also released from the dendrites of the neurons into the hypothalamus where they have important roles in social behaviours via non-synaptic volume transmission. Because the most familiar functions of oxytocin are to regulate female reproductive functions including parturition, milk ejection, and maternal behaviour, oxytocin is often thought of as a "feminine" hormone. However, there is evidence that a group of parvocellular oxytocin neurons project to the lower spinal cord and control male sexual function in rats. In this report, we review the functional interaction between the SEG neurons and the hypothalamo-spinal oxytocin system and effects of these neuropeptides on male sexual behaviour. Furthermore, we discuss the finding of a recently identified, localised "volume transmission" role of oxytocin in the spinal cord. Findings from our studies suggest that the newly discovered "oxytocin-mediated spinal control of male sexual function" may be useful in the treatment of erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Oti
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University, Hiratsuka, Japan
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
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Hull EM, Dominguez JM. Neuroendocrine Regulation of Male Sexual Behavior. Compr Physiol 2019; 9:1383-1410. [DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c180018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Tamura K, Kobayashi Y, Hirooka A, Takanami K, Oti T, Jogahara T, Oda SI, Sakamoto T, Sakamoto H. Identification of the sexually dimorphic gastrin-releasing peptide system in the lumbosacral spinal cord that controls male reproductive function in the mouse and Asian house musk shrew (Suncus murinus). J Comp Neurol 2017; 525:1586-1598. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.24138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kei Tamura
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI); Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Ushimado, Setouchi Okayama 701-4303 Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Kobayashi
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI); Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Ushimado, Setouchi Okayama 701-4303 Japan
- Laboratory for Aquatic Biology; Department of Fisheries, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kindai University; Nara 631-0052 Japan
| | - Asuka Hirooka
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI); Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Ushimado, Setouchi Okayama 701-4303 Japan
| | - Keiko Takanami
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI); Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Ushimado, Setouchi Okayama 701-4303 Japan
| | - Takumi Oti
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI); Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Ushimado, Setouchi Okayama 701-4303 Japan
| | - Takamichi Jogahara
- Laboratory of Animal Management and Resources; Department of Zoology, Okayama University of Science; Okayama 700-0005 Japan
- Division of Bio-Resources; Department of Biotechnology, Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki; Miyazaki 889-1692 Japan
| | - Sen-ichi Oda
- Laboratory of Animal Management and Resources; Department of Zoology, Okayama University of Science; Okayama 700-0005 Japan
| | - Tatsuya Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI); Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Ushimado, Setouchi Okayama 701-4303 Japan
| | - Hirotaka Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI); Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Ushimado, Setouchi Okayama 701-4303 Japan
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Ramos-Álvarez I, Moreno P, Mantey SA, Nakamura T, Nuche-Berenguer B, Moody TW, Coy DH, Jensen RT. Insights into bombesin receptors and ligands: Highlighting recent advances. Peptides 2015; 72:128-44. [PMID: 25976083 PMCID: PMC4641779 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This following article is written for Prof. Abba Kastin's Festschrift, to add to the tribute to his important role in the advancement of the role of peptides in physiological, as well as pathophysiological processes. There have been many advances during the 35 years of his prominent role in the Peptide field, not only as editor of the journal Peptides, but also as a scientific investigator and editor of two volumes of the Handbook of Biological Active Peptides [146,147]. Similar to the advances with many different peptides, during this 35 year period, there have been much progress made in the understanding of the pharmacology, cell biology and the role of (bombesin) Bn receptors and their ligands in various disease states, since the original isolation of bombesin from skin of the European frog Bombina bombina in 1970 [76]. This paper will briefly review some of these advances over the time period of Prof. Kastin 35 years in the peptide field concentrating on the advances since 2007 when many of the results from earlier studies were summarized [128,129]. It is appropriate to do this because there have been 280 articles published in Peptides during this time on bombesin-related peptides and it accounts for almost 5% of all publications. Furthermore, 22 Bn publications we have been involved in have been published in either Peptides [14,39,55,58,81,92,93,119,152,216,225,226,231,280,302,309,355,361,362] or in Prof. Kastin's Handbook of Biological Active Peptides [137,138,331].
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Ramos-Álvarez
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, United States
| | - Paola Moreno
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, United States
| | - Samuel A Mantey
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, United States
| | - Taichi Nakamura
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, United States
| | - Bernardo Nuche-Berenguer
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, United States
| | - Terry W Moody
- Center for Cancer Research, Office of the Director, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, United States
| | - David H Coy
- Peptide Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112-2699, United States
| | - Robert T Jensen
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, United States.
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Abstract
As we all can easily differentiate the sensations of itch and pain, the most straightforward neurophysiologic concept would consist of two specific pathways that independently encode itch and pain. Indeed, a neuronal pathway for histamine-induced itch in the peripheral and central nervous system has been described in animals and humans, and recently several non-histaminergic pathways for itch have been discovered in rodents that support a dichotomous concept differentiated into a pain and an itch pathway, with both pathways being composed of different "flavors." Numerous markers and mediators have been found that are linked to itch processing pathways. Thus, the delineation of neuronal pathways for itch from pain pathways seemingly proves that all sensory aspects of itch are based on an itch-specific neuronal pathway. However, such a concept is incomplete as itch can also be induced by the activation of the pain pathway in particular when the stimulus is applied in a highly localized spatial pattern. These opposite views reflect the old dispute between specificity and pattern theories of itch. Rather than only being of theoretic interest, this conceptual problem has key implication for the strategy to treat chronic itch as key therapeutic targets would be either itch-specific pathways or unspecific nociceptive pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Schmelz
- Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany,
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Takanami K, Sakamoto H. The Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRPR) in the Spinal Cord as a Novel Pharmacological Target. Curr Neuropharmacol 2014; 12:434-43. [PMID: 25426011 PMCID: PMC4243033 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x12666140923201432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is a mammalian neuropeptide that acts through the G protein-coupled receptor, GRP receptor (GRPR). Increasing evidence indicates that GRPR-mediated signaling in the central nervous system plays an important role in many physiological processes in mammals. Additionally, we have recently reported that the GRP system within the lumbosacral spinal cord not only controls erection but also triggers ejaculation in male rats. This system of GRP neurons is sexually dimorphic, being prominent in male rats but vestigial or absent in females. It is suggested that the sexually dimorphic GRP/GRPR system in the lumbosacral spinal cord plays a critical role in the regulation of male sexual function. In parallel, it has been reported that the somatosensory GRP/GRPR system in the spinal cord contributes to the regulation of itch specific transmission independently of the pain transmission. Interestingly, these two distinct functions in the same spinal region are both regulated by the neuropeptide, GRP. In this report, we review findings on recently identified GRP/GRPR systems in the spinal cord. These GRP/GRPR systems in the spinal cord provide new insights into pharmacological treatments for psychogenic erectile dysfunction as well as for chronic pruritus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Takanami
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
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Ischia J, Patel O, Bolton D, Shulkes A, Baldwin GS. Expression and function of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) in normal and cancerous urological tissues. BJU Int 2014; 113 Suppl 2:40-7. [PMID: 24894852 DOI: 10.1111/bju.12594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) acts as an important regulatory peptide in several normal physiological processes and as a growth factor in certain cancers. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge of GRP in urological tissues under both normal and cancerous conditions. GRP and its receptor, GRP-R, are expressed in the normal kidney and renal cancers. GRP can stimulate the growth of renal cancer cells. GRP and GRP-R are expressed in prostate cancer and GRP can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cell lines. Importantly, GRP is a key neuroendocrine peptide, which may be involved in the progression of advanced prostate cancer and in the neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer. Recent animal studies have shown that GRP and GRP-R are an integral part of male sexual function and play a crucial role in spinal control of erections and ejaculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Ischia
- Department of Surgery, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Urology, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Sakamoto H. Sexually dimorphic nuclei in the spinal cord control male sexual functions. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:184. [PMID: 25071429 PMCID: PMC4092374 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lower spinal cord injuries frequently cause sexual dysfunction in men, including erectile dysfunction and an ejaculation disorder. This indicates that the important neural centers for male sexual function are located within the lower spinal cord. It is interesting that the lumbar spinal segments contain several neural circuits, showing a clear sexually dimorphism that, in association with neural circuits of the thoracic and sacral spinal cord, are critical in expressing penile reflexes during sexual behavior. To date, many sex differences in the spinal cord have been discovered. Interestingly, most of these are male dominant. Substantial evidence of sexually dimorphic neural circuits in the spinal cord have been reported in many animal models, but major issues remain unknown. For example, it is not known how the different circuits cooperatively function during male sexual behavior. In this review, therefore, the anatomical and functional significance of the sexually dimorphic nuclei in the spinal cord corresponding to the expression of male sexual behavior is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Sakamoto
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Ushimado Marine Institute, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Okayama, Japan
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Dobberfuhl AD, Oti T, Sakamoto H, Marson L. Identification of CNS neurons innervating the levator ani and ventral bulbospongiosus muscles in male rats. J Sex Med 2013; 11:664-77. [PMID: 24373488 DOI: 10.1111/jsm.12418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The pelvic striated muscles play an important role in mediating erections and ejaculation, and together these muscles compose a tightly coordinated neuromuscular system that is androgen sensitive and sexually dimorphic. AIM To identify spinal and brains neurons involved in the control of the levator ani (LA) and bulbospongiosus (BS) in the male adult and preadolescent rat. METHODS Rats were anesthetized, and the transsynaptic retrograde tracer pseudorabies virus (PRV) was injected into the LA muscle of adults or the ventral BS muscle in 30-day-old rats. After 3-5 days rats were sacrificed, and PRV-labeled neurons in the spinal cords and brains were identified using immunohistochemistry. The presence of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) in the lumbar spinal neurons was examined. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES The location and number of PRV-labeled neurons in the spinal cord and brain and GRP colocalization in the lumbar spinal cord. RESULTS PRV-labeled spinal interneurons were found distributed throughout T11-S1 of the spinal cord, subsequent to dorsal medial motoneuron infection. The majority of spinal interneurons were found in the lumbosacral spinal cord in the region of the dorsal gray commissure and parasympathetic preganglionic neurons. Preadolescent rats had more PRV-labeled spinal interneurons at L5-S1 where the motoneurons were located but relatively less spread rostrally in the spinal cord compared with adults. Lumbar spinothalmic neurons in medial gray of L3-L4 co-localized PRV and GRP. In the brain consistent labeling was seen in areas known to be involved in male sexual behavior including the ventrolateral medulla, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, and medial preoptic area. CONCLUSION Common spinal and brain pathways project to the LA and BS muscles in the rat suggesting that these muscles act together to coordinate male sexual reflexes. Differences may exist in the amount of synaptic connections/neuronal pathways in adolescents compared with adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy D Dobberfuhl
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Brain–spinal cord neural circuits controlling male sexual function and behavior. Neurosci Res 2012; 72:103-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2011.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2011] [Revised: 10/14/2011] [Accepted: 10/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Abstract
Many patients with prostate cancer for whom androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is indicated are young and desire to remain sexually active. In such patients, the side effects of androgen therapy on sexual function can be a source of serious reduction in overall quality of life. Providing the appropriate treatment options in this patient population is therefore essential. Nevertheless, treating such patients is challenging and an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of sexual physiology and pathophysiology is crucial to optimal patient care. In this paper, we reviewed what was known regarding the effects of ADT on sexual function in animal models and we also provided a detailed review on the effects of ADT on sexual health in humans and its treatment.
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Roesler R, Schwartsmann G. Gastrin-releasing peptide receptors in the central nervous system: role in brain function and as a drug target. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2012; 3:159. [PMID: 23251133 PMCID: PMC3523293 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 11/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides acting on specific cell membrane receptors of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily regulate a range of important aspects of nervous and neuroendocrine function. Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is a mammalian neuropeptide that binds to the GRP receptor (GRPR, BB2). Increasing evidence indicates that GRPR-mediated signaling in the central nervous system (CNS) plays an important role in regulating brain function, including aspects related to emotional responses, social interaction, memory, and feeding behavior. In addition, some alterations in GRP or GRPR expression or function have been described in patients with neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and psychiatric disorders, as well as in brain tumors. Findings from preclinical models are consistent with the view that the GRPR might play a role in brain disorders, and raise the possibility that GRPR agonists might ameliorate cognitive and social deficits associated with neurological diseases, while antagonists may reduce anxiety and inhibit the growth of some types of brain cancer. Further preclinical and translational studies evaluating the potential therapeutic effects of GRPR ligands are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Roesler
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Neural Tumor Biology, Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
- Cancer Research Laboratory, University Hospital Research Center (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute for Translational MedicinePorto Alegre, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Rafael Roesler, Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Neural Tumor Biology, Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 90050-170 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. e-mail:
| | - Gilberto Schwartsmann
- Cancer Research Laboratory, University Hospital Research Center (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute for Translational MedicinePorto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
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Staudt MD, Truitt WA, McKenna KE, de Oliveira CVR, Lehman MN, Coolen LM. A pivotal role of lumbar spinothalamic cells in the regulation of ejaculation via intraspinal connections. J Sex Med 2011; 9:2256-65. [PMID: 22189051 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02574.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A population of lumbar spinothalamic cells (LSt cells) has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in ejaculatory behavior and comprise a critical component of the spinal ejaculation generator. LSt cells are hypothesized to regulate ejaculation via their projections to autonomic and motor neurons in the lumbosacral spinal cord. AIM The current study tested the hypothesis that ejaculatory reflexes are dependent on LSt cells via projections within the lumbosacral spinal cord. METHODS Male rats received intraspinal injections of neurotoxin saporin conjugated to substance P analog, previously shown to selectively lesion LSt cells. Two weeks later, males were anesthetized and spinal cords were transected. Subsequently, males were subjected to ejaculatory reflex paradigms, including stimulation of the dorsal penile nerve (DPN), urethrogenital stimulation or administration of D3 agonist 7-OH-DPAT. Electromyographic recordings of the bulbocavernosus muscle (BCM) were analyzed for rhythmic bursting characteristic of the expulsion phase of ejaculation. In addition, a fourth commonly used paradigm for ejaculation and erections in unanesthetized, spinal-intact male rats was utilized: the ex copula reflex paradigm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES LSt cell lesions were predicted to prevent rhythmic bursting of BCM following DPN, urethral, or pharmacological stimulation, and emissions in the ex copula paradigm. In contrast, LSt cell lesions were not expected to abolish erectile function as measured in the ex copula paradigm. RESULTS LSt cell lesions prevented rhythmic contractions of the BCM induced by any of the ejaculatory reflex paradigms in spinalized rats. However, LSt cell lesions did not affect erectile function nor emissions determined in the ex copula reflex paradigm. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that LSt cells are essential for ejaculatory, but not erectile reflexes, as previously reported for mating animals. Moreover, LSt cells mediate ejaculation via projections within the spinal cord, presumably to autonomic and motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Staudt
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Ultrahigh voltage electron microscopy links neuroanatomy and neuroscience/neuroendocrinology. ANATOMY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2011; 2012:948704. [PMID: 22567316 PMCID: PMC3335508 DOI: 10.1155/2012/948704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 09/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The three-dimensional (3D) analysis of anatomical ultrastructures is extremely important in most fields of biological research. Although it is very difficult to perform 3D image analysis on exact serial sets of ultrathin sections, 3D reconstruction from serial ultrathin sections can generally be used to obtain 3D information. However, this technique can only be applied to small areas of a specimen because of technical and physical difficulties. We used ultrahigh voltage electron microscopy (UHVEM) to overcome these difficulties and to study the chemical neuroanatomy of 3D ultrastructures. This methodology, which links UHVEM and light microscopy, is a useful and powerful tool for studying molecular and/or chemical neuroanatomy at the ultrastructural level.
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