Figures & data
Figure 1 Concentrations of the amino acids aspartate, glutamate, GABA, serine, arginine, histidine and taurine in 30-min microdialysates obtained from the hypothalamic PVN of day 3 lactating HAB and LAB rats before (mean basal from sample 1 and 2) and during maternal defense (sample 3). The microdialysis probes were perfused with Ringer's solution at 1 μl/min. At the beginning of dialysis period 3, a virgin female intruder unselected for anxiety was introduced into the home cage of the lactating resident for 10 min with ongoing microdialysis. Data are expressed as mean + SEM. Number of rats was n = 6 and n = 7 in HABs and LABs, respectively. ##p < 0.01, #p < 0.05 vs. respective mean basal. Right: Representative microphotograph of a cresyl-stained coronal section of the rat brain showing bilateral localisation of the tips of the membranes of the microdialysis probes (arrows) within the PVN. Scale bar, 500 μm.
Figure 2 Concentrations of the amino acids aspartate, glutamate, GABA, serine, arginine, histidine and taurine in 30-min microdialysates obtained from the CeA of day 3 lactating HAB and LAB rats before (mean basal from sample 1 and 2) and during maternal defence (sample 3). For details see . Data are expressed as mean + SEM. Number of rats was n = 7 per group. *p < 0.05 vs. respective HAB. Right: Representative microphotograph of a cresyl-stained coronal section of the rat brain showing bilateral localisation of the tips of the membranes of the microdialysis probes (arrows) within the CeA. Scale bar, 500 μm.
Figure 3 Consequences on maternal aggression of infusion of the OTA bilaterally into (A) the PVN or (B) the CeA of lactating HAB and LAB residents via retrodialysis. The occurrence of attacks, lateral threats, genital sniffing after attack and offensive sniffing during the 10-min maternal defense test were monitored. Data are expressed as the sum of the aggressive behaviors + SEM. Number of rats was 6–8 per group. #p < 0.05 vs. respective VEH. Data partly reprinted from Bosch et al. (Citation2005) with permission. Copyright 2005 by the Society for Neuroscience.
Figure 4 Effects of local OTA on the microdialysate concentrations of the amino acids aspartate, glutamate, GABA, serine, arginine, histidine and taurine from the PVN of lactating HAB and LAB dams, under basal conditions and in response to maternal defense. During dialysis periods 2 (basal 2) and 3 (maternal defense), either Ringer's solution (VEH) or Ringer's solution containing the OTA was used as perfusion fluid. At the beginning of dialysis period 3, a virgin female intruder was introduced into the lactating resident's home cage for 10 min with ongoing microdialysis. Vehicle-treated control animals are the same as in Figure 1. Data are presented as mean + SEM. Numbers of rats are given in parenthesis. #p < 0.05 vs. basal sample 2 of the same group; *p < 0.05 vs. respective VEH.
Figure 5 Effects of local OTA on the microdialysate concentrations of the amino acids aspartate, glutamate, GABA, serine, arginine, histidine and taurine within the CeA of lactating HAB and LAB dams, under basal conditions and in response to maternal defense. For details see . Vehicle-treated control animals are the same as in . Data are presented as mean + SEM. Numbers of rats are given in parenthesis. ##p < 0.01, # < 0.05 vs. basal sample 1 of the same group; **p < 0.01, *p < 0.05 vs. respective VEH.
