STAINABILITY OF NEUROSECRETORY MATERIAL AND BEGINNING OF ITS FORMATION IN SUPRAOPTICO-HYPOPHYSIAL SYSTEM

The development of the neurosecretory hypothalamo-hypophyseal system of mouse and chick embryos has been studied. Neurosecretory granules could be identified in the perikarya of the neurosecretory cells simultaneously with their first appearance in the neurohypophysis. Subsequently, a variety of adult mammalian species was investigated. In all cases, neurosecretory material could be demonstrated along the whole length of the neurons. Comparison of corresponding parts of the neurons showed them to contain comparable amounts of neurosecretory material. The investigations were carried out with improved techniques for staining neurosecretory material. Results of earlier investigations, inconsistent with these findings, were obtained with inadequate methods and cannot be regarded as contradicting the hypothesis of an intraaxonal transport of neurosecretory material. © 1968 Springer-Verlag.