QUANTITATIVE HISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE HYPOTHALAMUS DEHYDROGENASE ENZYMES

Levels of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutamic dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase and malic dehydrogenase in the adult male rat hypothalamus were measured. There was no one consistent pattern for all enzymes; each had its own distinct distribution. There were many significant differences between hypothalamic nuclei and these differences would be masked when one makes comparisons of the major anatomical portions of the hypothalamus (anterior, middle and posterior) which are composed of these specific nuclei. Reports showing no differences in the metabolism of various portions of the hypothalamus might be accounted for on this basis. No apparent correlation between blood supply and oxidative or glycolytic pathways is noted.