Distribution of astrocytes in hypothalamus of rat

Objective:To investigate the distribution of astrocytes in the hypothalamus of rats. Methods: Cellular localization of GFAP-labelling cells were mapped in the subdivisions of the hypothalamus of rats with immunohis-tochemistry staining. Results: Dense immunoreactivities of GFAP were found in the periventricular area of the third cerebral ventricle, the supraoptic nucleus, the lateral magnocellular part of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus and the median eminence. While only slight GFAP-immunoreactivities was presented in other areas or nuclei of the hypothalamus, such as the anterior area, the lateral area, the lateroanterior nucleus, the suprachi-asmatic nucleus, the arcuate nucleus, the parvocelluar part of the paraventricular nucleus and the ventromedial nuclei i. e. Conclusion: The distribution of astrocytes shows a regional specification characteristic in the hypothalamus of rats, which might be related to some corresponding physiological activities and functions upon these subdivisions.