Increasing neuron numbers in the vasopressin and oxytocin containing nucleus of the adult female pig hypothalamus.
Neuron number and volume of the recently described vasopressin and oxytocin containing nucleus (VON) in the pig hypothalamus have been studied into adulthood. Following a 2.5-fold increase in both sexes around puberty, both neuron number and volume of the VON continued to increase in the female pig between 1 and 2.5 years of age. Since no such increase occurred in the male, the VON exhibits a pronounced sexual dimorphism in adulthood of 260%.
van Eerdenburg
F J
FJ
Department of Functional Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Swaab
D F
DF
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000032:analysis*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013552:Swine; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000032:analysis*
D014667:Vasopressins; D010121:Oxytocin