Oxytocin stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone from medial basal hypothalamic explants by releasing nitric oxide

摘要

Oxytocin induces mating behavior in rats of both sexes. Previous experiments revealed that progesterone- induced sex behavior in ovariectomized, estrogen-primed rats was caused by release of NO from NOergic neurons that stimulated the release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hor- mone (LHRH). The LHRH activated brain-stem neurons that initiated the lordosis reflex. We hypothesized that oxytocin might similarly release NO in the medial basal hypothalamic region that would stimulate release of LHRH into the hypophy- seal portal vessels to release luteinizing hormone.