Role of nucleus of the solitary tract noradrenergic neurons in post-stress cardiovascular and hormonal control in male rats

Adult male rats (n=20 total; cardiovascular study: n=5 lesion, n=6 vehicle; HPA study: n=5 lesion, n=4 vehicle)

Bilateral microinjection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) to lesion A2 neurons, followed by acute restraint stress and 14 days of chronic variable stress (CVS)

Vehicle microinjection into the NTS

Cardiovascular (tachycardic response, heart rate variability) and HPA axis (corticosterone secretion) responses to acute restraint stress and chronic variable stresssurrogate