Activation of brainstem catecholaminergic neurons during voluntary diving in rats

Underwater submergence produces a complex autonomic response that includes apnea, a parasympathetically-mediated bradycardia, and a sympathetically-mediated increase in total peripheral resistance (TPR). The present study was designed to identify brainstem catecholaminergic neurons that may be involved in producing the increased TPR during underwater submergence. Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to voluntarily dive 5 m through an underwater maze. On the day of the experiment the rats were randomly separated into a Diving group that repetitively dived underwater, a Swimming group that repetitively swam on the surface of the water, and a Control group that remained in their cages. After the experiment the brainstems of the rats were immunohistologically processed for Fos as an indicator of neuronal activation, and for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) as an indentifier of catecholaminergic neurons. Neurons labeled with both Fos and TH identified activated catecholaminergic neurons. In Diving rats there was increased Fos+TH labeling in A1, C1, A2, A5, and sub-coeruleus, as well as globosa neurons in the lateral A7 region compared with Control rats, and in A1, C1 and A5 compared with Swimming rats. In Swimming rats Fos+TH labeling was significantly increased in caudal A1, A5, sub-coeruleus and globosa neurons compared with Control rats. These data suggest that selective groups of catecholaminergic neurons within the brainstem are activated by voluntary underwater submergence, and some probably contribute to the sympathetically-mediated increase in vascular tone during diving.