Direct Projection from the Medial Preoptic Area to the Median Eminence of the Cat

Abstract

The projection from the medial preoptic area to the median eminence of the cat was clarified by electron microscopy. After placing the electrolytic lesion in the preoptic area several kinds of degenerating neuronal processes and terminals were observed in the external layer of the median eminence. The one was dark shrunk terminals containing dense cored vesicles, the other was the dark ones containing myeline figure-like structure. The relationship between catecholamine-containing nerve endings and RH/IH-containing endings in the external layer of the median eminence was discussed.