Summary
The median eminence of duck, following freeze-drying and formaldehyde treatment (method of Falck-Hillarp), revealed within the subependymal layer of the internal zone a plexus of green fluorescent nerve fibers that encircled scattered neurons which apparently belong to the basal infundibular (tuberal) nucleus. Scarce fluorescent structures accompanied by a diffuse weak fluorescent reaction were seen in the reticular and palisade layers of the external zone. Fluorescent sympathetic fibers surrounded primary portal vessels in the perivascular space. Microspectrofluorimetric analysis revealed the presence of catecholamines in all fibers measured. After HCl treatment, the modifications of the excitation spectra indicated that the fibers in the subependymal layer of the inner median eminence contained noradrenaline. Dopaminergic fibers were not found in this region. The fluorescent contents of noradrenergic fibers was depleted by reserpine. After inhibition of dopamine-β-hydroxylase by FLA 63, some dopamine could be demonstrated in these noradrenergic fibers. After three successive intraventricular injections of 6-OH-dopamine their fluorescent contents disappeared. However, three months after this treatment some green fluorescent fibers were again seen in this location.
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We express our gratitude to Prof. A. Oksche for helpful discussions. We thank the D.A.A.D. for its financial aid.
This work was supported by a grant (Ok 1/16) from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to Prof. A. Oksche.
The authors wish to thank Dr. A. Björklund, Lund, for his critical suggestions, Dr. Bhattacharyya, Montpellier, and Mr. R. A. Soames, Giessen, for revision of the English manuscript, and Miss D. Vaihinger for skilful preparation of the drawings. The help of the D.G.R.S.T. is acknowledged.
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Calas, A., Hartwig, HG. & Collin, J.P. Noradrenergic innervation of the median eminence. microspectrofluorimetric and pharmacological study in the duck, anas platyrhynchos . Z.Zellforsch 147, 491–504 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307251
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307251