Catecholamine-containing neurons in cultures of fetal rat hypothalamus: distribution, morphology, and maturation

The distribution, morphology, and maturation of catecholamine (CA) neurons have been studied in hypothalamic explants from late-gestation rats. CA-containing neurons were identified using the glyoxylic acid technique. CA-containing processes were present from all hypothalamic areas except the preoptic region. Several fiber types were identified. CA neurons in vitro resemble CA neurons in adult hypothalamus. This tissue culture system may be useful in the study of a number of properties of hypothalamus CA neurons.