Lipid inclusions in the telencephalic neuroglia of the developing rat

The presence of lipid vacuoles is a common fact in neuroglial cells and their precursors in the developing rat brain. Simple lipid vacuoles are present in ependymal cells, subependymal cells, spongioblasts and astrocytes. Polymorphic inclusions are observed in subependymal cells, spongioblasts, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Great numbers of dense inclusions are found in "premyelinic" oligodendrocytes, while smaller numbers of simple lipid vacuoles are found in the astrocytes of the telencephalic mantle. These results are discussed and related to the better known changes present in the human developing brain.