Elsevier

Peptides

Volume 17, Issue 1, 1996, Pages 171-177
Peptides

Article
Behavioral effects of α-MSH and MCH after central administration in the female rat

https://doi.org/10.1016/0196-9781(95)02092-6Get rights and content

Abstract

The behavioral effects of α-MSH, MCH, and α-MSH + MCH were investigated in the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) and medial preoptic area (MPOA) (bilateral, 100 ng in 0.5 μl). Infusion of α-MSH into the VMN increased aggressive behavior; in the MPOA it reduced exploration and increased anxiety. In both areas it stimulated sexual behavior. MCH also stimulated sexual behavior in the MPOA and VMN and had an anxiogenic effect in the MPOA. The effect of α-MSH on aggression and exploration was antagonized by MCH. When given together, the two peptides were mutually antagonistic on anxiety. This study indicates that MCH has central nervous system effects and may be a partial α-MSH agonist.

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