Figure 1.

Effects of disabling astrocytic functions on OT neuronal activity in lactating rats. A–C, Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices containing SON. A, Exemplary current-clamp recording showing firing activity before, during, and after bath application of l-AAA (0.25 mm) at initial membrane potential of −60 mV. B, Exemplary voltage-clamp recordings of tonic spontaneous EPSCs at −70 mV. B1, Effects of 1 mm l-AAA. B2. Effects of 0.25 mm l-AAA. Recordings showing full traces (top) and their expanded episodes (bottom) as indicated by arrows. C, Effects of OT (10 pm) on EPSCs in the presence of l-AAA. C1, Exemplary recording. C2, Summary bar graphs showing percentage changes relative to controls in frequency and amplitude in response to l-AAA and OT (n = 6). *p < 0.05 compared with the control.