The Variation Of NOS Positive Neurons In Amygdala During The Estrus Cycle And Following Ovariectomy In Female Rat

Objective:To study morphological change of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) positive neurons of amygdala in the estrus cycle and following ovariectomy in female rat. Method:By using the SABC immunohistochemical and the image analysis technique. Result:(1)The anterior amygdaloid area, the nucleus amygdaloideus basalis,the nucleus amygdaloideus lateralis and the nucleus amygdaloideus medialis are the main positive staining cell areas of amygdala. Besides that ,NOS positive nucleus cells are found in the nucleus amygdaloideus centralis and the nucleus amygdaloideus corticalis.(2)NOS positive nucleus cells of the nucleus amygdaloideus basalis and the nucleus amygdaloideus medialis have significant change during different estrus cycles:the amount of NOS positive neurons during the proestrus and the metaestrus increases more significantly than that during the estrus and the anestrus. But in the nucleus amygdaloideus lateralis,there is not apparent variation during different estrus cycles.(3)In the ovariectomy(OVX)2 months group, the amount of NOS positive neurons in the nucleus amygdaloideus basalis and the nucleus amygdaloideus medialis decreases more significantly than that in the intact group.But NOS positive neurons in the nucleus amygdaloideus lateralis have no significant difference between the OVX 2 months group and the intact group. Conclusion: In vivo, the level of estrogen positively regulates the amount of NOS positive neurons in some nuclei of amygdala.