Structural plasticity in the rat supraoptic nucleus during gestation, post-partum lactation and suckling-induced pseudogestation and lactation

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of parturient and lactating rats, large portions of the surface membranes of almost all oxytocinergic neurones are directly juxtaposed with no glial interposition. A significant number of the same neurones are also contacted by the same presynaptic terminal ('double' synapses). Our present observations have revealed that direct appositions between adjacent neurones in the SON increase quite rapidly during the day before parturition. 'Double' synapses also become visible during late gestation, but they appear more progressively. Earlier studies have shown that 1 month after weaning, as in virgin rats, there are again very few appositions and 'double' synapses in the nucleus. We show here that the SON can remain structurally modified, and to the same degree, beyond normal weaning time so long as lactation is prolonged by renewing suckling litters. However, if the mothers are deprived of their pups immediately after birth, neuronal appositions disappear within 2 days and 'double' synapses by 10 days. In non-pregnant primiparous rats, continuous exposure to suckling litters leads to pseudogestation and eventually lactation (in 16–22 days). Examination of the SON in such animals revealed that the oxytocinergic system is already modified by day 12 of dioestrus; during suckling-induced lactation, the anatomical changes are identical to those seen during a normal post-partum lactation. These observations indicate that neither gestation nor suckling alone are indispensable for the anatomical reorganization of the SON apparent at lactation. However, suckling is important in maintainingthe structural changes during prolonged lactation, and can lead to restructuring of the nucleus by inducing pseudogestation and lactation in non-pregnant animals. Taken together with earlier data, these results suggest that hormonal factors, especially oxytocin and gonadal steroids, may act singly or, more probably, in synergy to produce the structural plasticity of the adult oxytocinergic system. J. Endocr. (1987) 115, 97–105