title: The influence of age on the response of the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system I. Ultrastructural aspects.
abstract: The influence of age on the response of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system to physiological stress has been studied by means of the electron microscope. An osmotic load was applied to male C57BL/Icrfat mice at 6 and 28 months of age and the resulting changes in the ultrastructure of SON cells in response to this stress analysed. In the young animals the differences in morphology observed between the SON cells from control and from those of salt-loaded mice were very similar to those seen in salt-stressed rats at a similar age. Qualitative differences were noted in several sub-cellular components of old, salt-stressed mice. The mitochondria showed evidence of ultrastructural damage in cells from the old, stressed animals. The Golgi system and the rough endoplasmic reticulum both showed heterogeneity in structure when compared with cells from young salt-stressed mice. In addition, there was a decrease in the lipofuscin content of old, salt-stressed mice. These changes are discussed with respect to the overall efficiency of cellular activity in old, physiologically stressed animals.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000473:pathology*; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride