Norepinephrine and dopamine levels in hypothalamic nuclei of the genetically obese mouse (ob/ob).

An analysis of the norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) levels in specific hypothalamic nuclei of the genetically obese mouse (ob/ob) was made. When compared to lean littermate controls ob/ob mice had significantly increased levels of NE in the paraventricular nucleus and lateral hypothalamus and significantly decreased levels of DA in the arcuate-infundibulum. The sites of these neurochemical abnormalities correspond to hypothalamic areas involved in the regulation of feeding and prolactin secretion, both of which are abnormal in the ob/ob mutant.