Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ultrastructure of neurons in the ventromedial nucleus or the hypothalamus in ovariectomized rats with or without estrogen treatment

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The fine structure of the ventrolateral and dorsomedial subdivisions of the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) of the hypothalamus was examined in ovariectomized/control and ovariectomized/estrogen-treated rats to compare neurons of these areas to other neurons (specifically the ventrolateral thalamus), and to determine the effects of estrogen on these cells. The neurons of the VMN contain a large nucleus with a prominent nucleolus, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), polysomes, a Golgi complex, coated, uncoated and dense-cored vesicles, lysosome-like bodies, inclusion bodies, multivesicular bodies, whorl bodies and myelin figures. Similar organelles were present in the neurons of the ventrolateral thalamus, although polysomes were more prominent, and the cells lacked dense-cored vesicles in the perikarya. Differences in the cells of the VMN between ovariectomized/control and ovariectomized/estrogen-treated rats included a more conspicuous stacking of the RER and greater number of dense-cored vesicles in the estrogen-treated group in both the ventrolateral and dorsomedial subdivisions. In both areas the differences were statistically significant, although more marked in the ventrolateral subdivision. In both VMN subdivisions, the increased stacking of the RER could be correlated with the greater number of dense-cored vesicles and may reflect increased biosynthesis of a secretory product.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anzil AP, Herrlinger H, Blinzinger K (1973) Nucleolus-like inclusions in neuronal perikarya and processes: phase and electron microscope observations on the hypothalamus of the mouse. Z Zellforsch 146:329–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Barfield RJ, Chen JJ (1977) Activation of estrous behavior in ovariectomized rats by intracerebral implants of estradiol benzoate. Endocrinology 101:1716–1725

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnea A, Ben-Jonathan N, Colston C, Johnston JM, Porter JC (1975) Differential subcellular compartmentalization of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (LRH) in hypothalamic tissue. Proc Natl Acad Sci 72:3153–3157

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnea A, Ben-Jonathan N, Porter JC (1976) Characterization of hypothalamic subcellular particles containing luteinizing hormone releasing hormone and thyrotropin releasing hormone. J Neurochem 27:477–484

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnea A, Neaves WB, Porter JC (1977) Ontogeny of the subcellular compartmentalization of thyrotropin releasing hormone and luteinizing releasing hormone in the rat hypothalamus. Endocrinology 100:1068–1079

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnea A, Neaves WB, Cho G, Porter JC (1978) A subcellular pool of hypo-osmotically resistant particles containing thyrotropin releasing hormone, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in the rat hypothalamus. J Neurochem 30:937–948

    Google Scholar 

  • Brawer JR (1971) The role of the arcuate nucleus in the brain-pituitary-gonad axis. J Comp Neurol 143:411–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Bueno J, Pfaff DW (1976) Single unit recording in hypothalamus and pre-optic area of estrogen-treated and untreated ovariectomized female rats. Brain Res 101:67–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Calas A, Kerdelhue B, Assenmacher I, Jutisz M (1974) Les axons a LH-RH de l'éminence médiane. Etude ultrastructurale chez le canard par une technique immunocytochimique. C R Acad Sci (Paris) 278:2557–2559

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen HA, McGovern SA (1973) Identity of “dumbbell profiles” in synaptosomal fractions from rat brain. J Neurobiol 4:583–587

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis PG, McEwen BS, Pfaff DW (1979) Localized behavioral effects of tritiated estradiol implants in the ventromedial hypothalamus of female rats. Endocrinology 104:898–903

    Google Scholar 

  • Garey R, Harper J, Best JB, Goodman AB (1972) Preparative resolution and identification of synaptic components of rat neocortex. J Neurobiol 3:163–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldsmith PC, Ganong WF (1975) Ultrastructural localization of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in the median eminence of the rat. Brain Res 97:181–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray EG, Whittaker VP (1962) The isolation of nerve endings from brain: an electron microscope study of cell fragments derived by homogenization and centrifugation. J Anat Lond 96:79–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishii S (1970) Isolation and identification of secretory vesicles in the axons of the equine median eminence. Gunma Symp Endocrinol 7:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones DG (1975) Synapses and Synaptosomes. Morphological Aspects. Chapman and Hall Ltd, London, pp 91–92

    Google Scholar 

  • King JC, Williams TH, Gerall AA (1974) Transformations of hypothalamic arcuate neurons. I. Changesassociated with stages of the estrous cycle. Cell Tissue Res 153:497–515

    Google Scholar 

  • König JFR, Klippel RA (1963) The rat brain. A stereotaxic atlas of the forebrain and lower parts of the brain stem: Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, Md.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kordon C, Kerdelhue B, Pattou E, Jutisz M (1974) Immunocytochemical localization of LHRH in axons and nerve terminals of the rat median eminence (38294). Proc Soc Exp Biol (NY) 147:122–127

    Google Scholar 

  • LeBeaux YJ (1971) An ultrastructural study of the neurosecretory cells of the medial vascular prechiasmatic gland, the pre-optic recess and the anterior part of the suprachiasmatic area. I. Cytoplasmic inclusions resembling nucleoli. Z Zellforsch 144:404–440

    Google Scholar 

  • LeBeaux YJ (1972) An ultrastructural study of a cytoplasmic filamentous body, termed nematosome, in the neurons of the rat and cat substantia nigra. The association of nematosomes with other cytoplasmic organelles in the neuron. Z Zellforsch 133:289–325

    Google Scholar 

  • Moss R, McCann SM (1973) Induction of mating behavior in rats by luteinizing-hormone releasing factor. Seience 181:177–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Naik DV (1975) Immuno-electron microscopic localization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in the arcuate nuclei and median eminence of the rat. Cell Tissue Res 157:437–455

    Google Scholar 

  • Pappas GD, Cohen EB, Purpura DP (1966) Fine structure of synaptic and non-synaptic neuronal relations in the thalamus of the cat. In: Purpura DP, Yahr MD (eds) The Thalamus. Columbia University Press, New York, pp 47–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelletier G, Labrie F, Puviani R, Arimura A, Schally AV (1974) Immunohistochemical localization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in the rat median eminence. Endocrinology 95:314–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters A (1970) The fixation of central nervous tissue and the analysis of electron micrographs of the neuropil, with special reference to the cat cerebral cortex. In: Nauta WJ, Ebbesson SOE (eds) Contemporary Research Methods in Neuroanatomy. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp 56–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters A, Palay S, Webster H (1976) The fine structure of the nervous system. The neurons and supporting cells. WB Saunders Co, Philadelphia, Pa, pp 231–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfaff DW (1973) Luteinizing hormone-releasing factor potentiates lordosis behavior in hypophysectomized ovariectomized female rats. Seience 182:1148–1149

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfaff DW, Keiner M (1973) Atlas of estradiol-concentrating cells in the central nervous system of the female rat. J Comp Neurol 151:121–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Purpura DP, Cohen B (1962) Intracellular recording from thalamic neurons during recruiting responses. J Neurophysiol 25:621–635

    Google Scholar 

  • Purpura DP, Shofer RJ (1963) Intracellular recording from thalamic neurons during reticulo-cortical activation. J Neurophysiol 26:494–505

    Google Scholar 

  • Purpura DP, Scarff T, McMurtry JG (1965) intracellular study of internuclear inhibition in ventrolateral thalamic neurons. J Neurophysiol 28:487–496

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubin BS, Barfield RJ (1980) Priming of estrous responsiveness by implants of 17β-estradiol in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus of female rats. Endocrinology 106:504–509

    Google Scholar 

  • Santolaya RC (1973) Nucleolus-like bodies in the neuronal cytoplasm of the mouse arcuate nucleus. Z Zellforsch 146:319–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu N, Ishii S (1965) Electron-microscopic observations on nucleolar extrusion in nerve cells of the rat hypothalamus. Z Zellforsch 67:367–372

    Google Scholar 

  • Shin SH, Morris A, Snyder J, Hymer WC, Milligan JV (1974) Subcellular localization of LH releasing hormone in the rat hypothalamus. Neuroendocrinol 16:191–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Silverman AJ, Desnoyers P (1976) Ultrastructural immuno-cytochemical localization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in the median eminence of the guinea pig. Cell Tissue Res 169:157–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Taber CA, Karavolas HJ (1975) Subcellular localization of LH releasing activity in the rat hypothalamus. Endocrinology 96:446–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Takeichi M, Noda Y (1973) Light and electron microscope studies on the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus of the cat, with special reference to the fine structure of neurons and synapses. Folia Psychiatr Neurol J 28:45–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Houten M, Brawer JW (1978) Cytology of neurons of the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus in the adult male rat. J Comp Neurol 178:89–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Zambrano D (1969) The arcuate complex of the female rat during the sexual cycle. An electron microscopic study. Z Zellforsch 93:560–570

    Google Scholar 

  • Zambrano D, De Robertis E (1968) The effect of castration upon the ultrastructure of the rat hypothalamus. II. Arcuate nucleus and outer zone of the median eminence. Z Zellforsch 87:409–421

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois

    Rochelle S. Cohen Ph.D. & Donald W. Pfaff

  2. Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, N.Y., USA

    Rochelle S. Cohen Ph.D. & Donald W. Pfaff

Authors
  1. Rochelle S. Cohen Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Donald W. Pfaff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (1 R01 NS15889-01) to R.S.C. and (HD-05751) to D.W.P.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cohen, R.S., Pfaff, D.W. Ultrastructure of neurons in the ventromedial nucleus or the hypothalamus in ovariectomized rats with or without estrogen treatment. Cell Tissue Res. 217, 451–470 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219357

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219357

Key words

Search

Navigation