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Suprachiasmatic nucleus: Numbers of synaptic appositions and various types of synapses

A morphometric study on male and female rats

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Summary

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of male rats was estimated to contain 16×106 synaptic appositions (unilaterally) or 250×106 appositions in 1 mm3 tissue of the nucleus with an average of 1404 appositions per neuron. There are significantly fewer synaptic appositions in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of female rats (15×106 per SCN or 236×106 in 1 mm3 tissue of SCN with 1264 appositions per neuron on an average). Additionally, numbers of various types of synapses (axo-somatic, invaginated, dendrodendritic and optic) are estimated.

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Supported by National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia

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Güldner, F.H. Suprachiasmatic nucleus: Numbers of synaptic appositions and various types of synapses. Cell Tissue Res. 235, 449–452 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00217872

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