Increase in the number of colloidal droplets in the hypothalamus of Natrix maura caused by dehydration

The influence of osmotic stress on the number of colloid droplets in the magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei of the water snake Natrix maura, has been studied. Five experimental groups of five specimens each, were submitted to dehydration by immersion in sea water for several periods of time (3 to 60 h). The number of colloid droplets, identified by histochemical procedures, was counted in serial sections of the retrochiasmatic nuclei. The study of the mean of each group revealed that the amount of colloids increased with the time of permanence in the hyperosmotic environment (48 h elicited the greatest response). As a conclusion, dehydration seems to activate the hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei of N. maura and, consequently, increases the production of colloid droplets.