# STEROIDS AND HYPOTHALAMIC INTERACTIONS IN MALE RATS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 1994 · $137,266

## Abstract

Evidence suggests that a complex hypothalamic neural circuitry may control
pituitary LH secretion.  We propose to test the hypothesis that an array of
locally derived inhibitory and excitatory regulatory neuropeptides may
participate in sustaining episodic LHRH-LH secretion in male rats.
Further, inappropriate function of one or more of these neurochemical
signals on a long-term basis, as in hyperprolactinemia or during aging, may
result in subnormal function of the LHRH-LH axis.  In this context, our
focus will be on two inhibitory (endogenous opioid peptides (EOP), and
Neuropeptide K) and two excitatory (Neuropeptide Y and Galanin)
neuropeptides.  Experiments are designed to decipher how they may act to
modify the LHRH-LH axis, whether activation of corticotropin releasing
hormone or EOP is involved and to delineate the relationship between
gonadal steroids and the output of these neuropeptides.  For EOP
involvement, we will extend our ongoing studies to identify the factors
responsible for imparting increased feedback sensitivity towards gonadal
steroids.  For the other three peptides, newer studies are proposed in
young, old and hyperprl rats to assess their effects on hypothalamic LHRH
output, on pituitary LH release alone and in conjunction with LHRH, to
understand the effects of castration and gonadal steroid replacement (time
course, strength and duration characteristics) on the output of each of
these peptides and to identify the hypothalamic site(s) most affected by
these manipulations.  We will employ cellular and molecular biology
techniques combined with RIA for measurement of LH and neuropeptides in
samples obtained via chronic intrajugular cannulae, push-pull cannula
technique and in vitro hypothalamic and dispersed pituitary cell
perfusions.  It is hoped that the outcome of these studies will enhance our
understanding of the mode of action, physiological arrangements and
interactions with gonadal steroids of these neuropeptides within the
hypothalamic circuitry that controls the LHRH-LH axis in young, hyperprl
and aged rats.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2196808
- **Project number:** 5R01HD011362-14
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NNFQH1JAPEP3
- **Principal Investigator:** PUSHPA S. KALRA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $137,266
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-09-29 → 1995-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2196808

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2196808, STEROIDS AND HYPOTHALAMIC INTERACTIONS IN MALE RATS (5R01HD011362-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2196808. Licensed CC0.

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