Summary
Our immunocytochemical investigation of the magnocellular neuroendocrine cells in the cat hypothalamus reveals a mixture of vasopressin (VP)- and oxytocin (OT)-containing neurons in the supraoptic (NSO), the paraventricular (NPV) and in five accessory nuclei (NAC). We describe the lateral hypothalamic nucleus (NLH), a new accessory nucleus, lying at the junction of the internal capsule and pallidum, and possibly involved in drinking behavior. Previously characterized incompletely in mammals, the four other accessory nuclei consist of the circularis (NC), anterior fornical (NAF), posterior fornical (NPF) and retrochiasmatic (NRC). The two peptidergic cell types, VP and OT, are equally mixed in the NPV and the NAC, but in the NSO VP neurons predominate. The perikarya of these VP and OT neurons do not show distinct morphological differences at the level of light microscopy. The organization of magnocellular neurosecretory neurons in the cat hypothalamus closely resembles that described in other mammals with the exception of the unique presence of the lateral hypothalamic accessory nucleus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Antunes, J.L., Carmel, P.W., Zimmerman, E.A.: Projections from the paraventricular nucleus to the zona externa of the median eminence of the Rhesus monkey: an immunocytochemical study. Brain Res. 137, 1–10 (1977)
Bisset, G.W., Clark, B.J., Errington, M.L.: The hypothalamic neurosecretory pathways for the release of oxytocin and vasopressin in the cat. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 217, 111–131 (1971)
Bleier, R.: The Hypothalamus of the Cat. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press 1961
Dierickx, K., Vandesande, F.: Immunocytochemical localization of the vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic neurons in the human hypothalamus. Cell Tissue Res. 184, 15–27 (1977)
Emmers, R.: Interaction of neural systems which control body water. Brain Res. 49, 323–347 (1973)
Goossens, N., Blähser, S., Oksche, A., Vandesande, F., Dierickx, K.: Immunocytochemical investigation of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system in birds. Cell Tissue Res. 184, 1–13 (1977)
Hayward, J.N.: Functional and morphological aspects of hypothalamic neurons. Physiol. Rev. 57, 574–658 (1977)
Hayward, J.N., Pavasuthipaisit, K., Perez-Lopez, F.R., Sofroniew, M.V.: Radioimmunoassay of arginine vasopressin in rhesus monkey plasma. Endocrinology 98, 975–981 (1976)
Milton, A.S., Paterson, A.T.: A microinjection study of the control of antidiuretic hormone release by the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus in the cat. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 241, 607–628 (1974)
Peterson, R.P.: Magnocellular neurosecretory centers in the rat hypothalamus. J. Comp. Neurol. 128, 181–190 (1966)
Reaves, T.A., Jr., Hayward, J.N.: Immunocytochemical study of vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic neurons in the supraoptic, paraventricular and accessory nuclei of the cat hypothalamus. Anat. Rec. 190, 518 (1978a)
Reaves, T.A., Jr., Hayward, J.N.: Immunocytochemical study of vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic neurons in rat hypothalamic supraoptic accessory nuclei. Fed. Proc. 37, 437 (1978b)
Skowsky, W.R., Fisher, D.A.: The use of thyroglobulin to induce antigenicity to small molecules. J. Lab. Clin. Med. 80, 134–144 (1972)
Sternberger, L.A., Hardy, P.H., Jr., Cuculis, J.J., Meyer, H.G.: The labeled antibody enzyme method of immunochemistry. Preparation and properties of soluble antigen-antibody complex (horseradish peroxidase-anti-horseradish peroxidase) and its use in identification of spirochetes. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 18, 315–333 (1970)
Vandesande, F., Dierickx, K.: 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 (1975)
Vandesande, F., Dierickx, K., De Mey, J.: Identification of the vasopressin-neurophysin II and the oxytocin-neurophysin I producing neurons in the bovine hypothalamus. Cell Tissue Res. 156, 189–200 (1975)
Vandesande, F., Dierickx, K., De Mey, J.: The origin of the vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic fibers of the external region of the median eminence of the rat hypophysis. Cell Tissue Res. 180, 443–452 (1977)
Watkins, W.B., Choy, V.J.: Immunocytochemical study of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system III. Localization of oxytocin- and vasopressin-containing neurons in the pig hypothalamus. Cell Tissue Res. 180, 491–503 (1977)
Weindl, A., Sofroniew, M.W.: Demonstration of extrahypothalamic peptide secreting neurons. A morphological contribution to the investigation of psychotropic effects of neurohormones. Pharmakopsyc. 9, 226–234 (1976)
Wilkins, J., Michaels, J., Nilaver, G., Zimmerman, E.A.: Hypothalamic pathways to the lower brainstem containing neurophysins, oxytocin and vasopressin in the rat. Endocrine Soc. Abst. 60, 269 (1978)
Zimmerman, E.A., Antunes, J.L.: Organization of the hypothalamic-pituitary system: current concepts from immunohistochemical studies. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 24, 807–815 (1976)
Zimmerman, E.A., Carmel, P.W., Husain, M.K., Ferin, M., Tannenbaum, M., Frantz, A.G., Robinson, A.G.: Vasopressin and neurophysin: high concentration in monkey hypophysial portal blood. Science 182, 925–927 (1973)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This investigation was supported by Grants from the USPHS (NS-13411 and NS-05696) and from the North Carolina Heart Association (1977-78-A-3)
The authors wish to thank Dr. L.A. Sternberger for peroxidase-antiperoxidase complexes and Ms. D. Cronce for technical assistance
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reaves, T.A., Hayward, J.N. Immunocytochemical identification of vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic neurons in the hypothalamus of the cat. Cell Tissue Res. 196, 117–122 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236352
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236352