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Galanin immunoreactivity in the brain of the desert lizard Uromastyx acanthinura during activity season
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Abstract
The distribution of galanin immunoreactive perikarya and nerve fibers in the brain of the desert lizard U. acanthinura was studied by means of immunofluorescence using an antiserum against rabbit galanin. The animals were captured during the activity season in March (wet season) just before reproduction period and in June (arid season) after ovulation period. Immunoreactive neurons were mostly detected in the mediobasal and the infundibular recess nuclei, the nucleus of the paraventricular organ, the paraventricular organ, the periventricular nucleus and in the anterior hypothalamus at the level of the periventricular nucleus, the paraventricular nucleus and the supraoptic nucleus. The differences in brain galanin expression between animals collected under both sets of environmental conditions indicated changes which occur during the annual and reproductive cycles. The wide hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic distribution of galanin immunoreactive fibers suggests that this peptide may have hypophysiotropic, neuromodulator and neurotransmitter roles in the lizard U. acanthinura. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2013, Vol. 51, No. 1, 45–54)
Abstract
The distribution of galanin immunoreactive perikarya and nerve fibers in the brain of the desert lizard U. acanthinura was studied by means of immunofluorescence using an antiserum against rabbit galanin. The animals were captured during the activity season in March (wet season) just before reproduction period and in June (arid season) after ovulation period. Immunoreactive neurons were mostly detected in the mediobasal and the infundibular recess nuclei, the nucleus of the paraventricular organ, the paraventricular organ, the periventricular nucleus and in the anterior hypothalamus at the level of the periventricular nucleus, the paraventricular nucleus and the supraoptic nucleus. The differences in brain galanin expression between animals collected under both sets of environmental conditions indicated changes which occur during the annual and reproductive cycles. The wide hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic distribution of galanin immunoreactive fibers suggests that this peptide may have hypophysiotropic, neuromodulator and neurotransmitter roles in the lizard U. acanthinura. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2013, Vol. 51, No. 1, 45–54)
Keywords
galanin; lizard; brain; reproduction; immunohistochemistry; nvironment; desert; U. acanthinura
About this articleTitle
Galanin immunoreactivity in the brain of the desert lizard Uromastyx acanthinura during activity season
Journal
Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
45-54
Published online
2013-04-24
Page views
1358
Article views/downloads
2222
DOI
10.5603/FHC.2013.007
Bibliographic record
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2013;51(1):45-54.
Keywords
galanin
lizard
brain
reproduction
immunohistochemistry
nvironment
desert
U. acanthinura
Authors
Sadjia Benmansour Hammouche
Mohammed Bennis
