Restoration of circadian rhythmicity by transplants of SCN "micropunches"

Although it is widely accepted that the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus serve as biological pacemakers regulating circadian rhythmicity, a number of studies suggest that some circadian rhythms may be controlled by extra-SCN structures. Transplantation of fetal anterior hypothalamic tissue containing the SCN restores circadian locomotor rhythms in SCN-lesioned hosts. Such transplants, however, contain substantial extra-SCN hypothalamic tissue. In the present study, the authors examined the recovery of circadian locomotor rhythms in animals implanted with small grafts harvested by taking "micropunches" from vibratome-sectioned brain slices. Micropunches were taken from three areas of the hypothalamus known to receive retinal input: the SCN, the subparaventricular zone, and the supraoptic nucleus. The results indicate that transplants restricted to the SCN region are necessary and sufficient for restoration of circadian locomotor activity rhythms and that micropunches of tissues from other sources are ineffective.