Ventromedial Nucleus of the Hypothalamus
What proteins are synthesized within the VMH that can lead to an increased state of excitability of neurons within the PAG?
Recent evidence suggests:
evidence that estrogen and/or progesterone can increase the number of oxytocin receptors within VMH-->administration of oxytocin can stimulate female sex behavior (specific to VMH?)
- oxytocin may facilitate lordosis by altering other responses such as decreasing aggressive behavior or increasing pair-bonding
evidence that estrogen can increase the number of acetylcholine receptors within VMH-->administration of acetylcholine within VMH can stimulate female sex behavior (this effect is also seen other brain areas)
evidence that estrogen can also increase a 70,000 MW protein--an isoform of phospholipase C that is transported to the midbrain periaqueductal gray
How do these changes lead to increased excitability of PAG neurons?