Cytology of neurons of the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus in the adult male rat

Recent evidence suggests that the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus contains a wide variety of functionally specialized neurons, some of which are located within discrete regions of the nucleus. However, regional morphologic variations in neuronal populations within the HVM have not been demonstrated. In the present report, the neurons of the HVM were studied in young adult, male rats with the electron microscope. The collection and analysis of cytologic data were systematized with reference to location on a histologic map of the HVM, which was prepared prior to fine structural study. Neurons of the HVM were observed to exhibit regional variations in cytology. For example, cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the anterior and dorsomedial regions of the nucleus are commonly collected into regular stacks typical of Nissl bodies. In contrast, rough cisternae in the posterior ventrolateral region of the HVM are often extremely long and pleomorphic, and form broad, loosely organized Nissl zones, in which occur myelin figures and wide varieties of cytoplasmic filamentous bodies. Other neurons located principally in the ventrolateral and posterior regions of the nucleus are characterized by the presence of whorled bodies. Still others restricted to the lateral rim of the nucleus are conspicuous by virtue of their enormous size and massive accumulation of Nissl material. One extremely unusual variety of HVM neuron is distinguished by the presence of large, acristic mitochondria, polysomal disaggregation, and aberrant nucleolar morphology. These cytologic features may indicate metabolic quiescence and perhaps anaerobiosis. Possibly these region‐centered variations in neuronal cytology reflect the functional parcellation of the HVM.