Terminal degeneration in supraoptic nucleus following subfornical organ lesions: ultrastructural observations in the rat.
A projection from the subfornical organ (SFO) to the supraoptic nucleus, recently identified in light microscopic studies, was examined at the ultrastructural level following lesions in SFO. After 18-36 h, axon terminal degeneration was identified in axosomatic contacts with supraoptic neurosecretory neurons, and in axodendritic contacts within and around the supraoptic nucleus. These observations confirm a monosynaptic pathway from SFO to supraoptic neurosecretory neurons that may participate in the release of vasopressin following activation of angiotensin II receptors in SFO.
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013356:Subfornical Organ / Q000502:physiology*; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure*