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Monoamine fluorescence in the median eminence of foetal, neonatal and adult rats

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Summary

The distribution of monoamines in the median eminence of foetal, neonatal and adult rats has been studied with the Falck-Hillarp fluorescence histochemical technique in preparations in which the hypothalamus and pituitary gland were in continuity. In adult rats monoamine fluorescence is present throughout the median eminence, including the anatomical stem. In foetal rats a few sagittally-directed varicose fluorescent fibres are seen in the median eminence. In neonatal rats palisade layer fluorescence in appreciable amounts is first seen on the fourth day in the region of the anatomical stem. By the eighth day it has spread throughout the palisade layer of the entire median eminence, and by the end of the third week it has attained adult intensity. The appearance of monoamines in the median eminence, the development of a functional hypophysial portal system, and a changing pattern of development of function in both the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axes thus all appear to be contemporaneous events. It is suggested that the monoamines of the median eminence represent part of a neural system influencing the output of pars distalis hormones, in particular of ACTH and TSH secretion.

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Author notes

  1. R. W. Simpson

    Present address: Balliol College, Oxford, England

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    G. C. Smith & R. W. Simpson

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Additional information

The authors wish to thank Professor G. C. Schofield and Dr. G. Fink for their guidance during the investigation and their help in preparing the manuscript, Mr. G. Rolls, Mr. P. McKinnon and Mr. R. Stitson for their technical assistance, and Mr. J. Simmons F. R. P. S. and Mrs. R. W. Simpson for their preparation of the illustrations.

This study was supported by a Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

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Smith, G.C., Simpson, R.W. Monoamine fluorescence in the median eminence of foetal, neonatal and adult rats. Z. Zellforsch. 104, 541–556 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335377

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