A Golgi study of the parvocellular neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the domestic fowl

The present study was focussed on the typology of small and medium-sized neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the domestic fowl as revealed by means of Golgi impregnation. This region is provided with different systems of neurons that can be distinguished on the basis of their location and dendritic morphology. Intraependymal neurons and CSF-contacting nerve cells are found in the periventricular layer together with bipolar elements endowed with processes extending parallel to the surface of the third ventricle. The short axons of these neurons may contact the magnocellular elements. Numerous isodendritic neurons are scattered throughout the entire PVN; these nerve cells possessing short and branched axons may be considered as local-circuit neurons. The complex intrinsic organization of the PVN of the domestic fowl might provide the structural basis for local interactions among the neuronal elements of this hypothalamic region.     

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of intraventricular dendrite terminals of hypothalamic cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons in Triturus vulgaris

A scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) study of the ventricular wall of the hypothalamus of Triturus vulgaris was performed with special regard to the intraventricular dendrite terminals of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contacting neurons of the preoptic area (magnocellular and parvocellular preoptic nuclei), the infundibular lobe (anterior periventricular nucleus, infundibular nucleus), and the paraventricular organ. In the preoptic area and infundibular lobe, the terminals were knob-like or club-shaped, of various sizes (diameter about 0,5 to 3,0 micrometer) and located immediately above the ependyma. Ultrastructurally, they may contain dense-core vesicles of varying sizes. The CSF contacting dendrite endings of the paraventricular organ built up a supraependymal labyrinthic layer which could be divided into a rostral crest-like part and a caudal flat and broad division. In both parts, three main types of terminals of various size and shape could be distinguished: a) ramifying, b) elongated, and c) bulb-like dendrite endings which also differed by their TEM structure. The bulk-like terminals, first of all the small ones, originated from the distal part of the nucleus of the organ (nucleus organi paraventricularis) while the other two types took their origin from its intra- and subependymal part. In all areas investigated, each intraventricular dendrite ending gave rise to a solitary cilium (type 9 X 2 + 0). It differed from the ependymal kinocilia by both SEM and TEM characteristics. In the paraventricular organ, the neuronal cilia were hidden inside, or below the supraependymal layer of terminals. There were intraventricular axons which formed synapses on CSF contacting dendrite endings of both parts of the paraventricular organ. Free intraventricular neurons, further ependymal areas heavily or scarcely ciliated, were described. The CSF contacting dendrite terminals were predominantly present near ventricular recesses and in regions where the ependyma was scarcely ciliated.     

大鼠下丘脑内一氧化氮合酶阳性神经元的分布

用ＮＡＤＰＨ－ｄ组织化学方法观察了大白鼠下丘脑内一氧化氮合酶（ＮＤＳ）阳性神经元的分布及形态特征。结果显示：在视上核、室旁核的大细胞部、环状核、穹窿周核、下丘脑外侧区、下丘脑腹内侧核、下丘脑背内侧核、乳头体区大部分核团均可见一氧化氮合酶阳性神经元聚集成团。在视前内侧区、视前外侧区、下丘脑前区、下丘脑背侧区、下丘脑后区、室周核、室旁核小细胞部及穹窿内可见散在的一氧化氮合酶阳性神经元。室周核内可见呈阳性反应的接触脑脊液神经元的胞体及突起。一氧化氮合酶阳性神经元大多可见突起,有的突起上可见１～２级分支,并可见膨体。下丘脑大部分区域内可见阳性神经纤维。弓状核内可见许多弧形纤维连于第三脑室室管膜和正中隆起。     

Golgi-type and immunocytochemical studies on the intrinsic organization of the periventricular layer of the avian paraventricular nucleus

Summary By means of the rapid Golgi-impregnation technique, intraependymal nerve cells and CSF-contacting neurons were demonstrated in the periventricular layer of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the Japanese quail, chicken and house sparrow. When immunocytochemistry was applied to the brains of Japanese quail, chicken and Pekin duck these cellular elements displayed vasotocin- and neurophysin immunoreactions. In the present material intraependymal and cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were never stained with antisera against avian vasointestinal peptide (VIP), corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), angiotensin II and serotonin. The periventricular zone of the PVN comprises conspicuous fiber networks immunoreactive with antisera to neurophysin, vasotocin and CRF. Our results indicate a general morphologic pattern of the above-mentioned peptidergic systems in all avian species investigated, irrespective of their taxonomic position or of certain peculiarities of the habitat and functional adaptation. The present neuromorphological results may provide a basis for further functional analysis of the interrelationships between the compartments containing cerebrospinal fluid and the neuroendocrine hypothalamic centers involved in various autonomic control mechanisms.Supported by grants from the MPI (60%), the Italian CNR (83.00447.04, 84.01769.04, 85.00515.04), and the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst to G.C.P. and C.V.P., and from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to H.W.K. (Ko 758/2-4)Preliminary results were previously presented at the 78th Versammlung der Anatomischen Gesellschaft (Viglietti-Panzica et al. 1984a) and at the 8th meeting of the European Neuroscience Association (Viglietti-Panzica et al. 1984b)     

Scanning electron microscopic observations of the ependymal cell and the subependymal layer of the third brain ventricle in the rat

This investigation was undertaken to clarify the three dimensional ultrastructure of the subependymal layer in relation with the ependymal cell layer in rat brain using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The subependymal layer existing below the ependyma of the third ventricle in the brain of mature albino rats was examined with S E M. The hypothalamus freshly excised after median sagittal section was treated by collagenase with or without trypsin for a short while to remove the ependymal cells at the ventricular wall. After the enzymatic pretreatment of the specimen, many ependymal cells were removed and the subependymal layer was partially exposed. Most of the ciliated ependymal cells remaining at the ventricular wall extended long, single basal processes which then penetrated into the subependymal layer. The subependymal layer was composed of a delicate framework of thin processes of glial cells, ependymal cells and, in addition nerve cells. Scattered among the neuropil just beneath the ependymal cell layer, there were relatively small, globular subependymal cells. Occasionally, there were large bundles of unmyelinated nerve fibres in the subependymal layer. The individual nerve fibres distinctly showed many axonal varicosities within the fibres. Intermingled with the nerve fibres, glial processes of various forms were present. The structure of the ependymal cells and the subependymal layer was compared with the findings already reported in the studies using light and transmission electron microscope.     

Hypothalamic activity during altered salt and water balance in the snake <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bothrops jararaca</Emphasis>

The effects of water and salt overload on the activities of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and the adjacent periventricular zone of the hypothalamus of the snake Bothrops jararaca were investigated by measurements of Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-ir). Both water and salt overload resulted in changes in body mass, plasma osmolality, and plasma concentrations of sodium, potassium, and chloride. Hyper-osmolality increased Fos immunoreactivity in the rostral supraoptic nucleus (SON), the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and adjacent periventricular areas. Both hyper- and hypo-osmolality increased Fos immunoreactivity in the intermediate SON, but not in other areas of the hypothalamus. Immunostaining was abundant in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting tanycyte-like cells in the ependymal layer of the third ventricle. These data highlight some features of regional distribution of Fos immunoreactivity that are consistent with vasotocin functioning as a hormone, and support the role of hypothalamic structures in the response to disruption of salt and water balance in this snake.     

Immunocytochemical localization of somatostatin-containing neurons in the rat hypothalamus

Summary The rat hypothalamus was studied at the light microscopic level with the use of single and double immunocytochemical staining methods. It was shown that the rat supraoptic and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei, and their accessory neurosecretory nuclei, do not contain magnocellular somatostatin neurons. The distribution of the hypothalamic parvocellular somatostatin cells is described. The parvocellular component of the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus is, at least partly, composed of somatostatin cells: they form a fairly well circumscribed periventricular cell mass. The rat suprachiasmatic nuclei contain separate somatostatin neurons and vasopressin neurons. Scattered somatostatin cells are present in the entire arcuate nucleus. In addition to the periventricular somatostatin cells located in the preopticanterior hypothalamic area and in the arcuate nucleus, the rat hypothalamus also contains numerous scattered somatostatin cells located distant from the third ventricle.This investigation was supported by a grant from the Belgian Nationaal Fonds voor Geneeskundig Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek     

The system of cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons. Its supposed role in the nonsynaptic signal transmission of the brain

Recent investigations confirm the importance of nonsynaptic signal transmission in several functions of the nervous tissue. Present in various periventricular brain regions of vertebrates, the system of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting neurons seems to have a special role in taking up, transforming and emitting nonsynaptic signals mediated by the internal and external CSF and intercellular fluid of the brain. Most of the CSF-contacting nerve cells send dendritic processes into the internal CSF of the brain ventricles or central canal where they form terminals bearing stereocilia and a 9+0-, or 9+2-type cilium. Some of these neurons resemble known sensory cells of chemoreceptor-type, others may be sensitive to the pressure or flow of the CSF, or to the illumination of the brain tissue. The axons of the CSF-contacting neurons transmit information taken up by dendrites and perikarya to synaptic zones of various brain areas. By forming neurohormonal terminals, axons also contact the external CSF space and release various bioactive substances there. Some perikarya send their axons into the internal CSF, and form free endings there, or synapses on intraventricular dendrites, perikarya and/or on the ventricular surface of ependymal cells. Contacting the intercellular space, sensory-type cilia were also demonstrated on nerve cells situated in the brain tissue subependymally or farther away from the ventricles. Among neuronal elements entering the internal CSF-space, the hypothalamic CSF-contacting neurons are present in the magnocellular and parvicellular nuclei and in some circumventricular organs like the paraventricular organ and the vascular sac. The CSF-contacting dendrites of all these areas bear a solitary 9 x 2+0-type cilium and resemble chemoreceptors cytologically. In electrophysiological experiments, the neurons of the paraventricular organ are highly sensitive to the composition of the ventricular CSF. The axons of the CSF-contacting neurons terminate not only in the hypothalamic synaptic zones but also in tel-, mes- and rhombencephalic nuclei and reach the spinal cord as well. The supposed chemical information taken up by the CSF-contacting neurons from the ventricular CSF may influence the function of these areas of the central nervous system. Some nerve cells of the photoreceptor areas form sensory terminals similar to those of the hypothalamic CSF-contacting neurons. Special secondary neurons of the retina and pineal organ contact the retinal photoreceptor space and pineal recess respectively, both cavities being embryologically derived from the 3rd ventricle. The composition of these photoreceptor spaces is important in the photochemical transduction and may modify the activity of the secondary neurons. Septal and preoptic CSF-contacting neurons contain various opsins and other compounds of the phototransduction cascade and represent deep encephalic photoreceptors detecting the illumination of the brain tissue and play a role in the regulation of circadian and reproductive responses to light. The medullo-spinal CSF-contacting neurons present in the oblongate medulla, spinal cord and terminal filum, send their dendrites into the fourth ventricle and central canal. Resembling mechanoreceptors of the lateral line organ, the spinal CSF-contacting neurons may be sensitive to the pressure or flow of the CSF. The axons of these neurons terminate at the external CSF-space of the oblongate medulla and spinal cord and form neurohormonal nerve endings. Based on information taken up from the CSF, a regulatory effect on the production or composition of CSF was supposed for bioactive materials released by these terminals. Most of the axons of the medullospinal CSF-contacting neurons and the magno- and parvicellular neurosecretory nuclei running to neurohemal areas (neurohypophysis, median eminence, terminal lamina, vascular sac and urophysis) do not terminate directly on vessels, instead they form neurohormonal nerve terminals attached by half-desmosomes on the basal lamina of the external and vascular surface of the brain tissue. Therefore, the bioactive materials released from these terminals primarily enter the external CSF and secondarily, by diffusion into vessels and the composition of the external CSF, may have a modulatory effect on the bioactive substances released by the neurohormonal terminals. Contacting the intercellular space, sensory-type cilia were also demonstrated on nerve cells situated subependymally or farther away from the ventricles, among others in the neurosecretory nuclei. Since tight-junctions are lacking between ependymal cells of the ventricular wall, not only CSF-contacting but also subependymal ciliated neurons may be influenced by the actual composition of the CSF besides that of the intercellular fluid of the brain tissue. According to the comparative histological data summarised in this review, the ventricular CSF-contacting neurons represent the phylogenetically oldest component detecting the internal fluid milieu of the brain. The neurohormonal terminals on the external surface of the brain equally represent an ancient form of nonsynaptic signal transmission.     

A golgi study on tanycytes and liquor-contacting cells in the posterior hypothalamus of the newt

Summary Golgi methods were employed to study neurons and ependymal tanycytes in the posterior hypothalamus of the newt. The tanycytes send a few coarse, spiny or barbed processes towards the pia mater. In the periventricular grey, the neurohistological methods show common neurons, ranging from a multipolar to a plumed organization, and abundant liquor-contacting cells. These cells, possibly neurons, give rise to a process that reaches the cerebro-spinal fluid, and terminates in a spindle-shaped swelling, with a thin thread at its tip. In other cells, the intraventricular endings are bulbous or finger-like. The occurrence of: (1) branches of the liquor-contacting process, running parallel to the infundibular surface; (2) infundibular processes which end at the base or between the ependymal cell bodies; and (3) axons coursing in the same position, all indicates that the subependymal layer is a site for complex intercellular relationships. The significance of liquor-contacting cells and tanycytes is discussed, in view of the possibility that they may represent part of a system for hypothalamic regulation in response to changes in the CSF.     

Electron-microscopic investigations of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-like immunoreactive terminal formations in the lateral septum of the pigeon

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-like immunoreactive terminal fields were examined in the lateral septum of the pigeon by means of immunocytochemistry. According to light-microscopic observations, these projections originated from VIP-like immunoreactive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting neurons, which are located in the ependymal layer of the lateral septum and form a part of the lateral septal organ. The processes of these cells gave rise to dense terminal-like structures in the lateral septum. Pre-embedding immuno-electron microscopy revealed that VIP-like immunoreactive axon terminals had synaptoid contacts with perikarya of small VIP-immunonegative neurons of the lateral septum, which were characterized by an invaginated nucleus, numerous mitochondria, a well-developed Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum and a small number of dense-core vesicles (about 100 nm in diameter). VIP-like immunoreactive axons were also seen in contact with immunonegative dendrites in the lateral septum. In both axosomatic and axodendritic connections, VIP-like immunoreactive presynaptic terminals contained large dense-core vesicles, clusters of small vesicles and mitochondria. These findings suggest that VIP-immunoreactive neurons of the lateral septal organ project to small, presumably peptidergic nerve cells of the lateral septum and that the VIP-like neuropeptide serves as a neuromodulator (-transmitter) in this area.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide-immunoreactive cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons in the reptilian lateral septum nucleus accumbens

By means of immunocytochemical demonstration of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting neurons was found in a circumscribed region of the nucleus accumbens/lateral septum of eleven reptilian (chelonian, lacertilian, ophidian, crocodilian) species. Basal processes of these cells contribute to a subependymal plexus whose density displays considerable interspecific variation. VIP-immunoreactive nerve fibers occur also in the lateral septum and the nucleus accumbens where they encompass immunonegative cells in a basket-like pattern. The CSF-contacting neurons are surrounded by columnar ependymocytes frequently arranged in a pseudostratified manner. These specialized arrays of ependymal cells, however, occupy a more extended area than the VIP-immunoreactive CSF-contacting neurons and can be traced from the rostro-ventral pole of the lateral ventricle to the interventricular foramen. These observations suggest the existence of a telencephalic site of CSF-contacting neurons which may be more widespread than hitherto thought and which may participate in a circumventricular system of the lateral ventricle. Previous studies mainly performed with birds indicate that the VIP-immunoreactive CSF-contacting neurons of the nucleus accumbens might form a part of the encephalic (extraretinal and extrapineal) photoreceptor. However, further experiments are required to test this supposition since the VIP-immunoreactive neurons of the nucleus accumbens remained unlabeled by antibodies against bovine rodopsin and chicken cone-opsin in all eleven species analysed in this investigation.     

Ontogenetic studies on the topographical heterogeneity of somatostatin-containing neurons in rat hypothalamus

The ontogeny of the somatostatin-containing neuron system was investigated by light-microscopic immunohistochemistry. During development, immunoreactive somatostatin-containing neurons arise from three discrete regions of the neuroepithelium of the third ventricle and show a chronological difference. The neurons are first evident within the third ventricle floor on day 12.5 of gestation; they move thereafter to the arcuate nucleus. The second generation occurs in the dorsal region of the arcuate nucleus during days 17.5-19.5; these neurons migrate sequentially into the arcuate-ventromedial nuclear region. The third generation is recognized in the neuroepithelial cell layer of the rostral hypothalamus on day 17.5 of gestation; these cells move to the periventricular area. This latter generation is most prominent during days 3-6 after birth, and some of the cells are seen sporadically even up to day 20. The first two generations give rise to the somatostatin neuron system in the arcuate-ventromedial nuclear region, while the latter gives rise to that in the rostral periventricular region in the adult rat hypothalamus.     

Electron microscopic analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase immunoreactive innervation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in the rat

The catecholaminergic innervation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the rat was studied by preembedding immunocytochemical methods utilizing specific antibodies which were generated against catecholamine synthesizing enzymes. Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT)-immunoreactive terminals contained 80-120 nm dense core granules and 30-50 nm clear synaptic vesicles. The labeled boutons terminated on cell bodies and dendrites of both parvo- and magnocellular neurons of PVN via asymmetric synapses. The parvocellular subnuclei received a more intense adrenergic innervation than did the magnocellular regions of the nucleus. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH)-immunopositive axons were most numerous in the periventricular zone and the medial parvocellular subnucleus of PVN. Labeled terminal boutons contained 70-100 nm dense granules and clusters of spherical, electron lucent vesicles. Dendrites, perikarya and spinous structures of paraventricular neurons were observed to be the postsynaptic targets of DBH axon terminals. These asymmetric synapses frequently exhibited subsynaptic dense bodies. Paraventricular neurons did not demonstrate either PNMT or DBH immunoreactivity. The fibers present within the nucleus which contained these enzymes are considered to represent extrinsic afferent connections to neurons of the PVN. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactivity was found both in neurons and neuronal processes within the PVN. In TH-cells, the immunolabel was associated with rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes and 70-120 nm dense granules. Occasionally, nematosome-like bodies and cilia were observed in the TH-perikarya. Unlabeled axons established en passant and bouton terminaux type synapses with these TH-immunopositive cells. TH-immunoreactive axons terminated on cell bodies as well as somatic and dendritic spines of paraventricular parvocellular neurons. TH-containing axons were observed to deeply invaginate into both dendrites and perikarya of magnocellular neurons. These observations provide ultrastructural evidence for the participation of central catecholaminergic neuronal systems in the regulation of the different neuronal and neuroendocrine functions which have been related to hypothalamic paraventricular neurons.     

Cytoarchitectonic pattern of the hypothalamus in the turtle,Lissemys punctata granosa

Summary In the hypothalamus of the turtle, Lissemys punctata granosa, two magnocellular and 23 parvocellular neuronal complexes can be distinguished. The magnocellular complexes include the nucleus supraopticus and the nucleus paraventricularis; paraventricular neurons are partly arranged in rows parallel to the third ventricle. Most infundibular parvocellular nuclei display neurons disposed in rows parallel to the ventricular surface. In the preoptic region, the prominent parvocellular neuronal complexes encompass the nucleus periventricularis anterior, lateral preoptic area, the nucleus of the anterior commissure and the nucleus suprachiasmaticus. The prominent nucleus periventricularis posterior extends caudad and shows neurons arranged in vertical rows parallel to the third ventricle. Other parvocellular nuclei of the rostral hypothalamus are composed of clustered subunits. The nucleus arcuatus is a fairly large nuclear entity extending from the level marked dorsally by the nucleus paraventricularis to the area occupied by the nucleus of the paraventricular organ. A well-developed ventromedial nucleus is located ventrolateral to the paraventricular organ. The prominent paraventricular organ consists of tightly arranged neurons, some of which possess apical projections into the third ventricle; it is surrounded by the nucleus of the paraventricular organ. Nucleus hypothalamicus medialis et lateralis, nucleus hypothalamicus posterior and the nuclei recessus infundibuli are further nuclear units of the tuberal region. The caudal end of the hypothalamus is marked by the nucleus mamillaris; its neurons are scattered among the fibers of the retroinfundibular commissure. The median eminence is well developed and shows a large medial and two lateral protrusions into the infundibular recess.     

Immunocytochemical study of the hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei of the snake Natrix maura and the turtle Mauremys caspica

Summary An immunocytochemical study of the magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei was performed in the snake Natrix maura and the turtle Mauremys caspica by use of antisera against: (1) a mixture of both bovine neurophysins, (2) bovine oxytocin-neurophysin, (3) arginine vasotocin, and (4) mesotocin. Arginine vasotocin- and mesotocin-immunoreactivities were localized in individual neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, with a distinct pattern of distribution in both species. The same cells appeared to be stained by the anti-oxytocin-neurophysin and anti-mesotocin sera. The supraoptic nucleus can be subdivided into rostral medial and caudal portions. In N. maura, but not in M. caspica, neurophysin-immunoreactive neurons were found in the retrochiasmatic nucleus. No immunoreactive elements were seen in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of both species after the use of any of the antisera. A dorsolateral aggregation of neurophysin-containing cells, localized over the lateral forebrain bundle, was present in both species. Magnocellular and parvocellular neurophysin-immunoreactive neurons were present in the paraventricular nucleus of both species. In the turtle, the paraventricular neurons were arranged into four distinct layers parallel to the ependyma; these neurons were bipolar with the major axis perpendicular to the ventricle, and many of them projected processes toward the cerebrospinal-fluid compartment. In N. maura a group of large neurons of the paraventricular nucleus was found in a very lateral position. The posterior lobe of the hypophysis and the external zone of the median eminence contained arginine vasotocin- and mesotocin-immunoreactive nerve fibers. The lamina terminalis of both species was supplied with a dense bundle of fibers containing immunoreactive neurophysin. Neurophysin-immunore-active fibers were also present in the septum, some telencephalic regions, including the cortex and the olfactory tubercule, in the paraventricular organ, and the periventricular and periaqueductal gray of the brainstem.This work was partially supported by a Grant S-85-39 from the Direccion de Investigaciones, Universidad Austral de Chile to E.M. Rodriguez     

Ciliated neurons and different types of synapses in anterior hypothalamic nuclei of reptiles

Summary The magnocellular paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei and the parvocellular preoptic and periventricular nuclei have been studied by light and electron microscopy in Emys orbicularis, Lacerta agilis and Elaphe longissima. The ultrastructure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting neurons was described in the preoptic and periventricular nuclei of Emys and Lacerta species. Single 9×2+0 cilia similar to those of the CSF-contacting dendritic terminals were found on perikarya of non CSF-contacting nerve cells, in all four investigated nuclei. The cilia project from funnel-like invaginations of the perikarya into the intercellular space. In the neurons of the nuclei studied, granular vesicles were found, their size being mainly 1,600 Å in the paraventricular nucleus, about 1,800 Å in the supraoptic nucleus, 1,100 Å in the periventricular nucleus and 800 Å, or up to 1,250 Å in the preoptic nucleus. In general, the neurons possess synapses of the axo-somatic, axo-somatic spine, axo-dendritic and axo-dendritic spine types. In the supraoptic nucleus, multiple interdigitated synapses were observed. Presynaptically, either synaptic vesicles only, or synaptic vesicles and dense core vesicles of different sizes (600 to 800 Å, about 1,100 Å, 1250 Å, and up to 2,000 Å) were found. It is discussed whether the above described 9×2+0 cilia may represent some kind of hypothalamic sensory structure that earlier physiological studies postulated to exist. The ciliated hypothalamic perikarya are considered by the authors to be a more differentiated form of the CSF-contacting neurons. The different types of synapses indicate multilateral connections of the nerve cells of the nuclei studied.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Berta Scharrer on the occasion of her 70th birthday     

Ultrastructural demonstration of ovine CRF-like immunoreactivity (oCRF-LI) in the rat hypothalamus: processes of magnocellular neurons establish membrane specializations with parvocellular neurons containing oCRF-LI

Ovine corticotropin releasing factor-like (oCRF-LI) immunoreactivity was detected in the rat hypothalamus by immunocytochemistry. The unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method was applied in 40 μM vibratome sections before embedding for examination under the electron microscope. Immunoreactivity was found in axons of the median eminence and the neural lobe, as well as in cell bodies and dendrites of parvocellular neurons the in paraventricular nucleus. Axon terminals in the external zone of the median eminence and in the neural lobe frequently abutted on the pericapillary space, suggesting the possible release of oCRF-LI into the fenestrated capillaries. Labeled cells in the paraventricular nucleus synapsed with unlabeled nerve terminals and were found in synaptic-like contact with protrusions of magnocellular neurons. The latter finding might represent the morphological basis for orthodromic interactions between parvocellular and magnocellular neurons of the paraventricular nucleus, which have been previously demonstrated by electrophysiological methods.     

Lateral septal projections onto tubero-infundibular neurons in the hypothalamus of the guinea pig

Efferent projections of the lateral septal nucleus (LS) to the preoptic area and the hypothalamus were identified in 20 female guinea pigs after iontophoretic injection of the anterograde axonal tracer Fluoro-Ruby. Tubero-infundibular (TI) neurons of the preoptic area and the hypothalamus were retrogradely labeled after intracardiac injection of Granular Blue or Fluoro-Gold. Magnocellular neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei were also labeled. The double labeling procedure allowed an estimation of the extent of the direct relationship between LS efferents and TI neurons. Contacts between lateral septal fibers and TI cell bodies were mainly observed at the light-microscopical level in the preoptic area. A group of labeled fibers coursing along the third ventricle established sparse connections with hypothalamic periventricular TI neurons. A few appositions was observed in the infundibular (arcuate) nucleus, suggestive of a monosynaptic regulation of TI neurons by a septo-arcuate tract. Close association with labeled magnocellular neurons was also noted at the edge of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. The sparse but direct connections between LS and TI neurons may be involved in the neuroendocrine functions of the LS.     

Electron microscopic analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase,dopamine-β-hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase immunoreactive innervation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in the rat

Summary The catecholaminergic innervation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the rat was studred by preembedding immunocytochemical methods utilizing specific antibodies which were generated against catecholamine synthesizing enzymes. Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT)-immunoreactive terminals contained 80–120 nm dense core granules and 30–50 nm clear synaptic vesicles. The labeled boutons terminated on cell bodies and dendrites of both parvo- and magnocellular neurons of PVN via asymmetric synapses. The parvocellular subnuclei received a more intense adrenergic innervation than did the magnocellular regions of the nucleus. Dopamine--hydroxylase (DBH)-immunopositive axons were most numerous in the periventricular zone and the medial paryocellular subnucleus of PVN. Labeled terminal boutens contained 70–100 nm dense granules and clusters of spherical, electron lucent vesicles. Dendrites, perikarya and spinous structures of paraventricular neurons were observed to be the postsynaptic targets of DBH axon terminals. These asymmetric synapses frequently exhibited subsynaptic dense bodies. Paraventricular neurons did not demonstrate either PNMT or DBH immunoreactivity. The fibers present within the nucleus which contained these enzymes are considered to represent extrinsic afferent connections to neurons of the PVN.Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactivity was found both in neurons and neuronal processes within the PVN In TH-cells, the immunolabel was associated with rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes and 70–120 nm dense granules. Occasionally, nematosome-like bodies and cilia were observed in the TH-perikarya. Unlabeled axons established en passant and bouton terminaux type synapses with these TH-immunopositive cells. TH-immunoreactive axons terminated on cell bodies as well as somatic and dendritic spines of paraventricular parvocellular neurons. TH-containing axons were observed to deeply invaginate into both dendrites and perikarya of magnocellular neurons.These observations provide ultrastructural evidence for the participation of central catecholaminergic neuronal systems in the regulation of the different neuronal and neuroendocrine functions which have been related to hypothalamic paraventricular neurons.Supported by NIH Grant NS 19266 to W.K. Paull     

Uptake of peroxidase from the third ventricle by ependymal cells of the median eminence

Summary Peroxidase injected into the subarachnoid space in mice is absorbed by ependymal cells of the median eminence. The ependymal cells of the median eminence of the rat and Japanese quail absorb peroxidase injected into the third ventricle. The processes of these ependymal cells terminate at the capillaries of the primary plexus or those surrounding the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. In all three species, peroxidase is absorbed by the ependymal cells of the paraventricular organ and by those in close proximity to it. Some ependymal cells send processes to the capillaries in the lateral nucleus of the hypothalamus. These phenomena are discussed in relation to adenohypophysial function.A part of this investigation was effected while the senior author held a Visiting Professorship at the University of Giessen [Department of Anatomy (Professor A. Oksche, Director)].