Title: Ultrastructural Changes in the Hypothalamus during Development and Hypothalamic Activity: the Median Eminence
Abstract: This chapter focuses on the ultrastructural changes in the hypothalamus during development and hypothalamic activity. Recent electron microscopic studies have revealed the general pattern of ultrastructural development of the median eminence in the rat and mouse. During the initial 5 or 6 days before birth, the median eminence, initially composed of immature stratified ependymal cells, undergoes a 3 day period of rapid ingrowth by tubero-infundibular axons. Simultaneously ependymal cells mature, acquiring a wide assortment of organelles. In the intensive investigation of the hypothalamus and particularly of its role in neuroendocrine physiology, the efforts of electron microscopists over the past decade have supplied some of the essential pieces of information. The main features of the ultrastructural organization of this strategic area are outlined and to some degree, correlated with physiological and histochemical data, but many fundamental questions remain unanswered. In other respects, ultrastructural maturation proceeds more slowly. Away from the perivascular contact, zone axons contain very few dense-core vesicles and exhibit only small numbers of immature synaptoid contacts with ependymal elements in the fetus and neonate.
Publication Year: 1974
Publication Date: 1974-01-01
Language: en
Type: review
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 49
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