Disorders of cell acquisition in the brain of rats deficient in vasopressin (Brattleboro mutant).
Neural cell acquisition and certain features of its underlying mechanisms were determined in the forebrain, cerebellum and olfactory bulbs of Brattleboro rats which were either heterozygous (control) or homozygous for a hereditary deficiency in vasopressin synthesis. In comparison with heterozygotes, the amount of DNA, which provides a measure of total cell number, was decreased in homozygous animals. The magnitude of the effect varied markedly from one brain part to another. Although more [(3)H]thymidine was retained in homozygous animals, the corrected values for DNA labeling showed a reduction in comparison with heterozygous rats. This decrease in mitotic activity preceded the reduction in brain cell number. The observed disturbances in brain cell acquisition of the Brattleboro mutant indicate a possible role for vasopressin in early brain development.
Boer
G J
GJ
Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, IJdijk 28, 1095 KJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Patel
A J
AJ