Identification of POMC, alpha-MSH and ACTH immunoreactive ARCN cells retrogradely labeled from the PVN.

<p>A: Microinjection (30 nl) of green retrobeads IX into the PVN retrogradely labeled neurons in the ipsilateral ARCN. B: POMC immunoreactive neurons in the section shown in A. C: Some retrogradely labeled cells in the ARCN contained POMC (white arrows) as indicated by the merged images of A and B. D: ARCN neurons retrogradely labeled from PVN (different rat). E: alpha-MSH immunoreactive neurons in the section shown in D. F: The merged images of D and E indicated that some retrogradely labeled cells in the ARCN contained alpha-MSH (white arrows). G: ARCN neurons retrogradely labeled from PVN (different rat). H: ACTH immunoreactive neurons in the section shown in G. I: The merged images of G and H indicated that some retrogradely labeled cells in the ARCN contained ACTH (white arrows). Abbreviations: POMC, proopiomelanocortin; alpha-MSH, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone; ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone.