The effect of injury to the cortical nucleus of the amygdala on the oxidative metabolism of the hypothalamus in the male rat

Abstract

The Effect of Injury to the Cortical Nucleus of the Amygdala on the Oxidative Metabolism of the Hypothalamus in the Male Rat. Rev. esp. Fisiol., 30, 49-52. 1974.

Earlier work has shown that oxygen consumption by the cerebral amygdala is increased by the gonadotrophins, FSH and LH. This was demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, experiments were made to determine if a small area of the amygdala could somehow influence the oxidative activity of the hypothalamus of the male rat. For that purpose, lesions were made in the cortical nuclei of the amyg­ dala and the metabolic activity of the hypothalamus was measured 30 days later.

The results obtained indicate that the electrolytic lesion of the cortical nuclei of the amygdala decreases oxygen consumption by the hypothalamus. Oxygen consump­ tion of the cerebral cortex, used as a control tissue, was not affected by the lesion.

These results suggest the possibility of a close physiological relationship between the limbic system and the hypothalamus regarding control of gonadotrophins secretion.