title: The postnatal development of oxidative metabolism in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the rat.
abstract: This study examined the postnatal development of oxidative metabolism in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus. The cytochrome oxidase technique was used to reveal the pattern of metabolic development. The cytochrome oxidase reactivity in suprachiasmatic nucleus is above background at birth and coincides with the Nissl-stained borders of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The suprachiasmatic nucleus gradually increases in cytochrome oxidase intensity through 24 days of age. At 28 days of age the dorsal border in the middle suprachiasmatic nucleus decreases in cytochrome oxidase reactivity. This decrease in cytochrome oxidase reactivity proceeds in a posterior direction until the entire posterior portion of the suprachiasmatic nucleus is devoid of intense cytochrome oxidase reactivity at 42 days of age. Intense cytochrome oxidase was not confined within the Nissl borders of suprachiasmatic nucleus at 28 days of age, but continued laterally beyond the suprachiasmatic nucleus border directly dorsal to the optic chiasm. This lateral region became more intense and extensive through 42 days of age. Therefore, the suprachiasmatic nucleus exhibits a distinct pattern of development in oxidative metabolism. This pattern of metabolic development may be important for understanding the development of overt circadian rhythms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Physiology, University of California, Davis 95616.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Fuller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000032:analysis; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D051381:Rats; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV