The development of neurocytes of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus following whole-body gamma-irradiation of newborn rats

The results of karyometric and cytometric studies show that gamma-irradiation inhibits the growth and development of arcuate nucleus neurocytes of hypothalamus. The secretory function of neurocytes is also inhibited which is particularly important with regard to the formation of adenohypophysis functions as a major regulator of the adaptation response development. A radiation-induced disturbance of the latter aggravates the radiation injury to critical organs or systems of young animals thus influencing their viability.