Computer‐Aided Mapping of Vasopressin Neurons in the Hypothalamus of the Male Golden Hamster: Evidence of Magnocellular Neurons that do not Project to the Neurohypophysis

Abstract

Vasopressin-sensitive neurons in the region of the anterior hypothalamus are necessary for the mediation of flank marking behavior in the Golden hamster. The precise nature of the vasopressinergic innervation to the anterior hypothalamus is unknown. In this study we seek to examine the potential sources of this innervation by mapping and counting the vasopressin-immunoreactive neurons that contribute to the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system, and those that do not. Vasopressin-immunoreactive neurons in the hypothalamus were visualized by immunocytochemistry. Sections were mapped with a computer-aided microscope system, and labeled neurons counted. Two-dimensional maps were stacked into a three-dimensional wireframe model which could be manipulated for further examination. The average number of vasopressin neurons was 3,135, with over 60% of all perikarya localized to the lateral supraoptic nucleus. In a double-labelling study, neurons contributing to the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system were retrogradely labeled by the injection of horseradish peroxidase into the neurohypophysis. The enzyme reaction product was visualized by treatment with tetramethylbenzidine followed by nickel-conjugated diaminobenzidine. Sections were subsequently stained for vasopressin by immunocytochemistry. Single- and double-stained neurons from serial sections were mapped and counted. Wireframe and contoured three-dimensional representations were generated. The average number of neurons projecting to the neurohypophysis was 5,619. However, an average of 981 neurons was immunoreactive to vasopressin but devoid of horseradish peroxidase. The greatest number of these non-projecting perikarya were found in and around the anterior hypothalamus, localized primarily in the lateral and medial aspect of the supraoptic nuclei, the ventral area of the paraventricular nucleus, and the nucleus circularis. By comparing the number of non-projecting neurons found by double-staining to the total count of the entire vasopressin system, it was estimated that approximately 30% of all vasopressin neurons in and around the anterior hypothalamus did not project to the neurohypophysis. Based on the distribution and localization of the non-projecting perikarya, it is speculated that these neurons may provide neurotransmitter for vasopressin-dependent flank marking in the male Golden hamster.