[Ultrastructure of the Hypophysiotropic Region of the Hypothalamus in Early Ontogenesis in Rats]

The results of electron microscopic studies have shown that the 16--18 days old rat embryos already have in the hypophysiotropic area some structures necessary for the realization of neuroendocrine regulations. In the arcuate nuclei, the neurosecretory cells differentiate which are capable to synthesize specific neurosecretory granules of 800--1,000 A in diameter. In the median eminence, the primary portal capillaries develop with which tanicytes and a few axon terminals make contact. One can see in the tanicytes the signs of active transport and accumulation of electron dense polymorphic material. All these phenomena are strengthen during the subsequent development. Hence, several days are before birth the neurosecretory and glial elements of the embryos show the signs of functional activity which strengthen during ontogenesis and are expressed most distinctly in the adult animals.