Mammals respond to challenging situations with characteristic changes in their behaviour as
well as in autonomic and neuroendocrine parameters aimed at reinstating their disturbed …

The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is a highly organized structure of the hypothalamus that
has a key role in regulating cardiovascular and osmotic homeostasis. Functionally, the PVN …

Oxytocin secretion from the posterior pituitary gland is increased during parturition,
stimulated by the uterine contractions that forcefully expel the fetuses. Since oxytocin …

The hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei contain magnocellular
neurosecretory cells (MNC s) that project to the posterior pituitary gland where they secrete …

Although communication between neurons is considered a function of the synapse, neurons
also release neurotransmitter from their dendrites. We found that dendritic transmitter …

How does the brain work? After a century of research, we still lack a coherent view of how
neurons process signals and control our activities. But as the field of computational …

GABA has been identified as an important neurotransmitter in stress-related circuitry
mediating inhibitory effects on neurosecretory neurons that comprise the central limb of the …

When young suckle, they are rewarded intermittently with a let-down of milk that results from
reflex secretion of the hormone oxytocin; without oxytocin, newly born young will die unless …

A successful pregnancy requires multiple adaptations in the mother's brain that serve to
optimise foetal growth and development, protect the foetus from adverse prenatal …

The female sex steroid hormones, estrogens and progesterone, are produced in large
amounts in pregnancy, increasing as pregnancy progresses. These hormones have …