Stimulation of the Hippocampus and Ovulation in the Rat: Specific or Nonspecific Effects

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Bilateral electrochemical stimulation (ECS) of the ventral hippocampus (VHPC) or dorsal hippocampus (DHPC) under acute conditions at 1000, 1200 or 1300 h on proestrus did not interfere with ovulation. When the same ECS of the VHPC was repeated at 1200 h of proestrus followed by the taking of blood samples at 1400, 1600 and 1800 h under ether anesthesia from the jugular vein, the LH [luteininzing hormone] surge and ovulation were significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited. Acute unilateral ECS of the VHPC or passing the same current through a platinum electrode had no effect on the LH surge. When large electrolytic lesions were bilaterally made in the VHPC with a platinum electrode at 1200 h of proestrus followed by blood samples, the LH surge and ovulation were also inhibited (P < 0.05). Large lesions in the caudate putamen also resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) suppression of the LH surge and the number of ova. Apparently, electrochemical stimulation of the hippocampus is not inhibitory to ovulation, and acute procedures on the day of proestrus can inhibit LH secretion.