Medicine & USMLE

Preoptic Nuclei

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Hypothalamic Nuclei
  1. Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
  2. Paraventricular and Supraoptic Nuclei
  3. Lateral Nucleus
  4. Ventromedial Nucleus
  5. Anterior Nucleus
  6. Posterior Nucleus
  7. Preoptic Nuclei

Summary

The preoptic nucleus is a collection of neurons located in the hypothalamus. It’s first main function is thermoregulation, or the regulation of our body temperature. The second  main function is controlling sexual behavior. Finally, the preoptic nucleus releases GnRH, which travels to the anterior pituitary to stimulate the downstream release of FSH and LH, hormones important for sexual development and function!

Key Points

  • Preoptic Nucleus
    • Location
      • Hypothalamus
    • Functions
      • Thermoregulation
        • This nucleus (along with anterior nucleus) determines set point of body temperature, which can be modulated by cytokines like IL-1 and IL-6 as well as PGE2
      • Sexual Behavior
        • Controls copulation and seeking of opposite sex
      • Releases Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
        • Signals to gonadotrophs in the anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH
    • Lesions
      • Associated with Kallmann syndrome
        • Due to failure of GnRH-producing neurons to migrate from the olfactory pit
      • Lesions in this nucleus can lead to body temperature dysregulation