性機能を調節する脊髄射精発生器ニューロンの脳への投射

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  • Projection of Spinal Ejaculation Generator Neurons to the Brain

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A spinal ejaculation generator (SEG) exists in the X layer of the rat spinal cord (lumbar spinal cord) at the L3-L4 level. SEG neurons express gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and oxytocin receptor (OXTR). We have previously reported that sexual experience sowe induced th expressions of GRP and OXTR in SEG neurons with. While SEG neurons project to the thalamic region and are thought to signal the completion of sexual behavior to the brain, it is still unclear where SEG neurons project to in the brain. The purpose of this study was to clarify the projection area of SEG neurons in the brain. Firstly, we analyzed the localizations of GRP-positive fibers in the brains of sexually experienced and naive male rats. GRP-positive fibers were observed in the parafascicular nucleus (PF), subparafascicular nucleus (SPF), and medial amygdala nucleus, posterodorsal part (MePD). In all cases, more GRP fibers were observed in sexually experienced males than in naive males. Secondly, we specifically lesioned SEG neurons using OXTR human diphtheria toxin receptor (Dtxr)-2A-channelhodopsin-2-(ChR2)-EYFP transgenic rats. The number of SEG neurons was reduced by half compared with controls. GRP- and YFP-positive fibers in the MePD were significantly reduced in rats with a loss of SEG neurons compared with controls. No differences were found in other brain regions, suggesting that SEG neurons project to the MePD and that sexual experience enhances input from the SEG neurons to the MePD. In addition, sexual experience might increase the GRP expression not only in the SEG neurons but also in GRP neurons of the brain.

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