Organization and development of the perivascular space system in the neurohypophysis of the laboratory mouse

The organization of the system of perivascular space around the capillaries in the neurohypophysis was studied in the adult and developing laboratory mouse by the use of histological silver impregnation and electron microscopical techniques. In the median eminence short and long extensions, arising mainly from the shallow space around capillary loops of the primary plexus of the portal system, formed radiations into the adjacent neural tissue of the external zone. The tissue of the neural lobe was separable into non-vascular regions dominated by undilated portions of neurosecretory nerve fibres and pituicytes, and neurovascular regions with perivascular space extensions forming an extensive system of connections between neighbouring capillaries. In the median eminence, the system of extensions of the perivascular space was estimated to increase the neurovascular contact surface area by at least 50%, implying an increased efficiency of the organ without a notable increase of its volume. The possibility that the ramifications of the perivascular space imply an enhanced uptake rate into the bloodstream and a subsequent increased concentration of the neurohormones in the portal blood, was discussed. During development of the median eminence, differentiation of perivascular space extensions of the adult type started in the juvenile of about three weeks of age, when shallow capillary loops had been formed. In the neural lobe, perivascular space ramifications were already present when the internal capillaries were formed and were fairly frequent in ten-day young. At the age of three to four weeks the organization of the system was similar to that of the adult animal.