Comparative study of the neuronal populations containing beta-endorphin, corticotropin and dopamine in the arcuate nucleus of the rat hypothalamus.

Neurons simultaneously immunoreactive with anti-beta-endorphin and anti-(17-39) corticotropin (anti(17-39) ACTH) have been detected in the arcuate and ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus of colchicine-treated rats. These neurons are different from those fluorescent with the Falck and Hillarp technique. These results show that in the arcuate nucleus, immunoreactive ACTH and beta-endorphine are stored in the same neurons which are different from dopamine-containing neurons.