EFFECT OF MESENCEPHALIC STIMULATION ON THE RELEASE OF GONADOTROPHINS

Abstract

SUMMARY Different regions of the midbrain were stimulated by electrolytic deposition of iron from stainless steel unipolar electrodes. Electrochemical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the raphe nuclei or the peri-aqueductal grey in rats in pro-oestrus was effective in preventing spontaneous ovulation. No blockade of ovulation was observed by stimulating other mesencephalic structures. After stimulation in the VTA there was a significant decrease of the elevated serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) found after an injection of progesterone into pro-oestrous rats or into ovariectomized—oestrogen-primed animals. In contrast, electrochemical stimulation of the dorsal mesencephalic tegmentum, lateral and inferior to the peri-aqueductal grey, in rats in which spontaneous ovulation had been blocked by continuous illumination, resulted in an ovulatory response. Serum LH was found to increase in gonadectomized—oestrogen-treated male and female rats after stimulating this area. No significant changes in serum follicle-stimulating hormone were found after stimulation in the ventral or dorsal tegmentum. It is concluded that both stimulatory and inhibitory influences on the release of gonadotrophin can be evoked by stimulating mesencephalic structures. The stimulatory and inhibitory effects could depend on the activation of noradrenergic and serotoninergic systems, respectively.