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The hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system in streptozotocin-diabetic rats: ultrastructural and immunocytochemical evidence for alterations of oxytocin- and vasopressin-containing neuronal profiles

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Summary

The hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei and the neurohypophysis of rats were investigated 8 weeks after streptozotocin (STZ)-induction of type I diabetes. Vasopressin (VP)- and oxytocin (OT)-containing neuronal profiles were examined using the pre-embedding peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique for electron microscopy. Ultrastructural alterations were observed in the somata, dendrites and axons of VP- and OT-labelled profiles. There was no evidence, however, for alterations in the synapses associated with VP- or OT-labelled somata, dendrites and axons. The results indicate that both VP- and OT-containing neuronal profiles are involved in the ultrastructural reorganisation of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial complex during diabetic conditions. Depletion of VP- and OT-containing axon profiles in the neurohypophysis may suggest increased release of both neurohypophysial hormones in STZ-induced diabetes.

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Author notes

  1. A. Loesch

    Present address: Laboratory of the Ultrastructure of the Nervous System, Medical Research Center, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Dworkowa Street, PL-00-784, Warsaw, Poland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, and Centre for Neuroscience, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT, London, UK

    A. Loesch, J. Lincoln & G. Burnstock

Authors
  1. A. Loesch
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  2. J. Lincoln
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  3. G. Burnstock
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Supported by the Wellcome Trust and British Diabetic Association

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Loesch, A., Lincoln, J. & Burnstock, G. The hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system in streptozotocin-diabetic rats: ultrastructural and immunocytochemical evidence for alterations of oxytocin- and vasopressin-containing neuronal profiles. Acta Neuropathol 75, 391–401 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00687793

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