title: Vasopressin- and oxytocin-like systems in the chameleon brain.
abstract: The distribution of vasopressin (VP)-like and oxytocin (OX)-like immunoreactivities was investigated in the chameleon brain with antisera specific for either peptide. VP-like and OX-like neurons are found only in two nuclei: in the supraoptic and in the paraventricular nuclei, whereas both peptidergic innervations are restricted to some ventral areas, especially to the hypothalamus. However, in these areas, OX-like innervation is less dense than the VP-like innervation. Even though, no sex differences were noted for the two systems, differences are present between the normal female and the preoviposit one concerning VP-like system. In the latter female, numerous VPergic-like cell bodies occurred in the ependymal layer, making likely direct contact with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the third ventricle. In addition, some VP-like nerve fibers seem to be in supraependymal position at the septal wall, probably also in contact with CSF.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurosciences, Université Cadi Ayyad, Faculté des sciences, Marrakech, Maroc.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bennis
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tramu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Repérant
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D048429:Cell Size / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008116:Lizards / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000378:metabolism; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014667:Vasopressins; D010121:Oxytocin