Colocalization of prolactin- and dynorphin-like substances in a neuronal population of the rat lateral hypothalamus.

Using an antiserum (AS) raised against dynorphin B (DYN B), we revealed immunoreactive neurons in different nuclei of the rat hypothalamus as well as a population of neurons scattered in the lateral areas of the posterior hypothalamus. This population corresponds to that previously shown to be specifically recognized by an ovine prolactin (PRL) AS. Our results suggest that in these neurons, DYN B and PRL AS reacted with different epitopes and that these epitopes could be carried by distinct unidentified peptides.