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Urocortin 1 administered into the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus affects open-field behaviour in rats

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Abstract

The presence of both Urocortin 1 (Ucn1) and corticotropin-releasing factor 2 receptors (CRF2R) in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) suggests that endogenous Ucn1 released within this brain area acts as a local signal that might be involved in the regulation of not only endocrine but also behavioural stress responses. To test this hypothesis, we monitored the effects induced by the administration of a range of doses of synthetic Ucn1 (0.001–1.0 μg) bilaterally into the SON of rats in the open field test (OFT). Ucn1 administration produced an inverted U-shaped dose–response curve on OFT behaviour, in particular the dose of 0.01 μg of Ucn1 significantly increased the number of rearing and grooming episodes without affecting locomotion. In addition, this dosage augmented also the latency to visit the centre of the open field. Pre-treatment with the CRF2R antagonist, astressin-2B (0.1 μg) normalized Ucn1 treatment-induced effects. These results suggest that Ucn1 released within the SON area interacts with CRF2R to control the state of arousal.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Rita Murau and Imgard Leschka for excellent technical assistance. The study was supported by DFG (EN 366/6-1, 436 UNG 113/168/0-2 and SP 672/1-3).

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  1. Institut für Biochemie und Zellbiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44/Haus 36, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany

    Ambrin Fatima, M. Fahad Haroon, Gerald Wolf, Mario Engelmann & Mariarosa G. Spina

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  1. Ambrin Fatima
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  2. M. Fahad Haroon
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  3. Gerald Wolf
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  4. Mario Engelmann
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  5. Mariarosa G. Spina
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Correspondence to Mario Engelmann.

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Fatima, A., Haroon, M.F., Wolf, G. et al. Urocortin 1 administered into the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus affects open-field behaviour in rats. Amino Acids 38, 1407–1414 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-009-0349-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-009-0349-1

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