Cytodifferentiation of the paraventricular nucleus in the chick embryo

The developmental changes in the cytoarchitecture of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of the chick embryo were studied with particular emphasis on the differentiation of the magnocellular neurons. These cells can be distinguished from the parvocellular elements starting from stages 34--35 (Hamburger and Hamilton 1951) in Golgi-impregnated specimens. At the same stages, electron microscopy reveals dense-core granules, resembling the characteristic elementary granules of the neurosecretory material in the cytoplasm of the larger neurons. In addition, a few immature synapses were observed on these magnocellular perikarya. The present observations suggest that the early onset of neurosecretion in this area may be neurally regulated during early phases of development.