Mesotocin and vasotocin in the brain of the lizard Gekko gecko: an immunocytochemical study

• Published in: Cell and tissue research Vol. 250; no. 3; pp. 649 - 656
• Main Authors: THEPEN, T, VOORN, P, STOLL, C. J, SLUITER, A. A, POOL, C. W, LOHMAN, A. H. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01-12-1987
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - anatomy & histology; Brain - cytology; Central nervous system; Central neurotransmission. Neuromudulation. Pathways and receptors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Immunohistochemistry; Lizards - anatomy & histology; Organ Specificity; Oxytocin - analogs & derivatives; Oxytocin - analysis; Oxytocin - immunology; Vasotocin - analysis; Vasotocin - immunology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Brain; Vertebrata; Gekko gecko; Mesotocine; Sauria; Immunocytochemistry; Peptide hormone; Central nervous system; Reptilia; Vasotocin; Neuropeptide
• ISSN: 0302-766X; 1432-0878
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00218959

The distribution of mesotocin and vasotocin was studied in the brain of the lizard Gekko gecko with antisera specific for either peptide. Both mesotocinergic and vasotocinergic perikarya are found in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus, whereas vasotocinergic neurons are exclusively present in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and in a cell group of the rhombencephalon. The distributional pattern of the mesotocinergic fibers corresponds closely to that of the vasotocinergic fibers. However, throughout the entire brain the mesotocinergic innervation is less dense than the vasotocinergic innervation. No sex differences are present in the mesotocinergic fiber system.