Skip to main content

Luliberin and somatostatin fiber-terminals in the subfornical organ of the rat

Cell and Tissue Research volume 210, pages 33–45 (1980)Cite this article

Summary

With the aid of light- and electron- microscopic immunocytochemistry, somatostatin- and luliberin (LRF)-positive fibers can be demonstrated in the rat subfornical organ (SFO). Each of the neurohormones has a specific location: LRF in the lateral parts of the organ, and somatostatin in the center of the posterior zone. Common to both neurohormone-containing fibers is the pattern in which they reach the organ as well as the fact that their terminals are located in the perivascular spaces of fenestrated vessels, i.e., within the limited neurohemal regions of the organ. Since injection of India ink of different colors demonstrates that the capillary bed of the SFO is connected with the central capillaries of the choroid plexus, the question arises as to whether the neurohormones released in the area of the SFO influence the choroid plexus.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Akert K (1969) The mammalian subfornical organ. J Neuro-Visc Relat 31:Suppl 9:78–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Akert K, Potter HD, Anderson JW (1961) The subfornical organ in mammals. I. Comparative and topographical anatomy. J Comp Neurol 116:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Akert K, Pfenninger K, Sandri C (1967) The fine structure of synapses in the subfornical organ of the cat. Z Zellforsch 81:537–556

    Google Scholar 

  • Ambach G, Palkovits M (1974) Blood supply of the rat hypothalamus. I. Nucleus supraopticus. Acta Morphol Acad Sci Hung 22:291–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Andres KH (1965) Der Feinbau des Subfornikalorgans vom Hund. Z Zellforsch 68:445–473

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargmann E, Lindner E, Andres KH (1967) Über Synapsen an endokrinen Epithelzellen und die Definition sekretorischer Neurone. Z Zellforsch 77:282–298

    Google Scholar 

  • Barry J, Poulain P, Carette B (1976) Systématisation et efférences des neurones à LRH chez les Primates. Ann Endocrinol (Paris) 37:227–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Bern HA, Knowles Sir FGW (1966) Neurosecretion. In: Martini L, Ganong WF (eds) Neuroendocrinology, Vol I. Academic Press, New York London, pp 139–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouchaud C (1974) Différences régionales dans la perméabilité des capillaires de l'organe subfornical du Rat. Bull Assoc Anat 59e Congrès, Liège 58:491–499

    Google Scholar 

  • Broadwell RD, Brightman MW (1976) Entry of peroxidase into neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems from extracerebral blood. J Comp Neurol 166:257–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Dellmann HD, Simpson JB (1975) Comparative ultrastructure and function of the subfornical organ. In: Knigge KM, Scott DE, Kobayashi H, Ishii S (eds) Brain-endocrine interaction II. The ventricular system in neuroendocrine mechanisms. Int Symp Shizuoka 1974. Karger, Basel, pp 166–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Dellmann HD, Simpson JB (1976) Regional differences in the morphology of the rat subfornical organ. Brain Res 116:389–400

    Google Scholar 

  • Dempsey EW (1968) Fine-structure of the rat's intercolumnar tubercle and its adjacent ependyma and choroid plexus, with reference to the appearance of its sinusoidal vessels in experimental argyria. Exp Neurol 22:568–589

    Google Scholar 

  • Dierickx K (1962) The dendrites of the preoptic neurosecretory nucleus of Rana temporaria and the osmoreceptors. Arch Int Pharmacodynt Ther 140:708–725

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubé D, Leclerc R, Pelletier G, Arimura A, Schally AV (1975) Immunohistochemical detection of growth hormone-release inhibiting hormone (somatostatin) in the guinea-pig brain. Cell Tissue Res 161:385–392

    Google Scholar 

  • Duvernoy H, Koritké JG (1964) Contribution à l'étude de l'angioarchitectonie des organes circumventriculaires. Arch Biol (Suppl) 75:693–748

    Google Scholar 

  • Duvernoy H, Koritké JG (1965) Recherches sur la vascularisation de l'organe subfornical. J Méd (Besançon) 1:115–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofer H (1959) Zur Morphologie der circumventrikulären Organe des Zwischenhirns der Säugetiere. Verh Dtsch Zool Ges Frankfurt a.M. 1958. Zool Anz 22:202–251

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofer H (1965) Circumventrikuläre Organe des Zwischenhirns. In: Hofer H, Schultz AA, Starck D (Hrsg) Primatologia. Karger, Basel New York, Bd II/2/13, S. 1–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobowitz DM, Palkovits M (1974) Topographic atlas of catecholamine and acetylcholin-esterase-containing neurons in the rat brain. I. Forebrain (telencephalon, diencephalon). J Comp Neurol 157:13–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Kizer JS, Palkovits M, Brownstein MJ (1976) Releasing factors in the circumventricular organs of the rat brain. Endocrinology 98:311–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Koella WP, Sutin J (1967) Extra blood-brain barrier structures. Int Rev Neurobiol 10:31–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Krisch B (1978) Hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic distribution of somatostatin-immunoreactive elements in the rat brain. Cell Tissue Res 195:499–513

    Google Scholar 

  • Krisch B (1980) Immunocytochemistry of neuroendocrine systems (vasopressin, somatostatin, luliberin). Prog Histochem Cytochem 13:(2), 1–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Krisch B, Leonhardt H, Buchheim W (1978) The functional and structural border between liquor- and blood-milieu of circumventricular organs. Studies on the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, the subfornical organ and the area postrema of the rat. Cell Tissue Res 195:485–497

    Google Scholar 

  • Legait H, Legait E (1956) A propos de la structure et de l'innervation des organes épendymaires du 3e ventricule chez les batraciens et les reptiles. C R Soc Biol (Paris) 150:1982–1984

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonhardt H (1980) Ependym und circumventriculäre Organe. In: Oksche A, Vollrath L (Hrsg) Handbuch der mikroskopischen Anatomie des Menschen. Springer, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, Bd IV/10, S. 177–666

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonhardt H, Lindemann B (1973) Surface morphology of the subfornical organ in the rabbit's brain. Z Zellforsch 146:243–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Okon E, Koch Y (1977) Localisation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the circumventricular organs of human brain. Nature (Lond) 268:445–447

    Google Scholar 

  • Pachomov N (1963) Morphologische Untersuchungen zur Frage der Funktion des subfornikalen Organs der Ratte. Dtsch Z Nervenheilk 185:13–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Palkovits M (1966) The role of the subfornical organ in the salt and water balance. Naturwissenschaften 53:336

    Google Scholar 

  • Palkovits M, Brownstein MJ, Arimura A, Sato H, Schally AV, Kizer JS (1976) Somatostatin content of the hypothalamic ventromedial and arcuate nuclei and the circumventricular organs in the rat. Brain Res 109:430–434

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons JA, Erlandsen SL, Herge OD, McEvoy RC, Elde RP (1976) Control and peripheral localization of somatostatin. Immunoenzyme immunocytochemical studies. J Histochem Cytochem 24:872–882

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelletier G, Leclerc R, Dubé D (1976a) Immunohistochemical localization of hypothalamic hormones. J Histochem Cytochem 24:864–871

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelletier G, Leclerc R, Dubé D, Labrie F, Puviani R, Arimura A, Schally AV (1975b) Localization of growth hormone-release-inhibiting hormone somatostatin in the rat brain. Am J Anat 142:387–400

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfenninger K, Akert K, Sandri C, Bruppacher H (1967) Die Feinstruktur der Parenchymzellen im Subfornikalorgan der Katze. Schweiz Arch Neurol Neurochir Psychiat 100:232–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips MI, Balhorn L, Leavitt M, Hoffman W (1974) Scanning electron microscope study of the rat subfornical organ. Brain Res 80:95–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Rohr VU (1966a) Zum Feinbau des Subfornikal-Organs der Katze. I. Der Gefäßapparat. Z Zellforsch 73:246–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Rohr VU (1966b) Zum Feinbau des Subfornikalorgans der Katze. II. Neurosekretorische Aktivität Z Zellforsch 75:11–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudert H (1965) Das Subfornikalorgan und seine Beziehungen zu dem neurosekretorischen System im Zwischenhirn des Frosches. Z Zellforsch 65:799–804

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudert H, Schwink A, Wetzstein R (1966) Die Feinstruktur des Subfornikalorgans beim Kaninchen. I. Die Blutgefäße. Z Zellforsch 74:252–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudert H, Schwink A, Wetzstein R (1968) Die Feinstruktur des Subfornikalorgans beim Kaninchen. II. Das neuronale und gliale Gewebe. Z Zellforsch 88:145–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Schinko L, Rohrschneider E, Wetzstein R (1972) Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am Subfornikalorgan der Maus. Z Zellforsch 123:277–294

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson JB, Routtenberg A (1973) Subfornical organ: site of drinking elicitation by angiotensin-II. Science 181:1172–1174

    Google Scholar 

  • Spoerri O (1963) Über die Gefäßversorgung des Subfornikalorganes der Ratte. Acta Anat (Basel) 54:333–348

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprankel H (1960) Über die Beziehungen des Plexus des dritten Ventrikels zum subfornikalen Organ bei den Primaten. Naturwissenschaften 47:383–384

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberger LA (1974) Immunocytochemistry. Foundation of Immunology Series. Osler A, Weis L (eds.), Prentice Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • Straus W (1971) Inhibition of peroxidase activity with methanol-nitro-ferricyanide for use in immunoperoxidase procedures. J Histochem Cytochem 19:682–688

    Google Scholar 

  • Tigges J (1962) Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Hirnventrikel bei Primaten. Zool Jahrb Anat 80:1–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandesande F, Dierickx K (1975) Identification of the vasopressin producing and of the oxytocin producing neurons in the hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory system of the rat. Cell Tissue Res 164:153–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Weindl A (1965) Zur Morphologie und Histochemie von Subfornicalorgan, Organum vasculosum laminae terminalis und Area postrema bei Kaninchen und Ratte. Z Zellforsch 67:740–755

    Google Scholar 

  • Weindl A (1970) Electron-microscopic observations on the subfornical organ of the rabbit after intravenous injection of horseradish peroxidase. Neurology (Minneap) 20:397

    Google Scholar 

  • Weindl A, Sofroniew MV (1978) Neurohormones and circumventricular organs. An immunohistochemical investigation. In: Scott DE, Kozlowski GP, Weindl A (eds) Brain-endocrine interaction III. Neural hormones and reproduction. Int Symp Würzburg 1977. Karger, Basel, pp 117–137

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Anatomisches Institut der Universität, Neue Universität, D-2300, Kiel, Federal Republic of Germany

    B. Krisch & H. Leonhardt

Authors
  1. B. Krisch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Leonhardt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Grant Nr. Kr 569/3) and Stiftung Volkswagenwerk

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Krisch, B., Leonhardt, H. Luliberin and somatostatin fiber-terminals in the subfornical organ of the rat. Cell Tissue Res. 210, 33–45 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00232139

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00232139

Key words

  • Luliberin (LRF)-terminals
  • Somatostatin-terminals
  • Subfornical organ
  • Neurohemal regions
  • Rat