Structural changes, related to reproduction, in the hypothalamus and in the pars tuberalis of the rhesus monkey: Part I. The hypothalamus. Part II. The pars tuberalis

Abstract

Certain cells lining a circumscribed area of the III ventricle of the rhesus monkey differ from those cells which constitute the characteristic ependymal lining of the brain. The specialized cells studied comprise a number of types which differ in their structure, ultrastructure and staining affinities; all demonstrate features which are generally associated with active secretion and/or absorption. A group of such cells, which form a limited area of the latero-ventral walls of the anterior hypothalamus, have long processes which extend to the walls of the blood vessels in the median eminence. The evidence indicates that many of these cells, here described as Type B or tanycyte cells, secrete their products into the primary capillary network of the pituitary portal system. Another group of cells, here described as Type C and $C'$ cells are found in a slightly more posterior position lining the floor of the ventricle; as yet there are no indications that these may secrete into blood vessels in the median eminence. Some of the specialized cells lining the III ventricle (Types B and C') showed changes in relation to reproductive activity: No such changes were observed in Type C cells nor in the characteristic ependymal cells (Type A) found elsewhere. Studies on normal and experimental male and female monkeys showed that Type B tanycyte cells differed in males and females and altered during the menstrual cycle in the female. Following ovariectomy these cells showed regressive changes but returned to a normal appearance after a single injection of oestradiol. In view of the close spatial relationship of the tanycyte ependyma to cells of the pars tuberalis it was interesting to note that pars tuberalis cells also altered in relation to the menstrual cycle. The evidence presented accords with the view that certain cells which line the III ventricle of the brain and have prolongations extending to pituitary blood vessels, thus linking the cerebrospinal fluid and the blood system in the region of the pituitary, may play a role in the regulation of pituitary function and thereby constitute an important neuro-endocrine system.