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Abstract
While the mechanisms are not fully understood, olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) is a well-known
rat model of depression and depression-related disorders such as anxiety and aggression.
Alterations in neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in the brain have been linked to depression
and have been shown to be involved in the response to stress. This study explored
the possible regulation of NPY immunoreactivity in specific regions of the amygdala
14 days after OBX in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=6). Unilateral OBX and immunohistochemistry
permitted comparisons of NPY in the ipsilateral amygdala with NPY in the contralateral
(sham) amygdala. OBX resulted in significant increases (P<0.05) in NPY immunoreactivity
in the anterior medial amygdala (threefold) and the posterior medial amygdala (2.5-fold).
These regions receive projections from the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). In contrast,
the anterior and posterolateral cortical nuclei of the amygdala receive projections
from the main olfactory bulb (MOB). NPY was not increased in these nuclei. These data
show that not only does OBX increase NPY immunoreactivity in the amygdala, but also
suggest that the AOB plays a prominent role in this regulation.