Choline acetyltransferase immunocytochemical staining of the rat supraoptic nucleus and its surroundings. A light- and electron-microscopic study.

Two different monoclonal antibodies raised against choline acetyltransferase were used, together with preembedding immunocytochemical techniques, to visualize the possible cholinergic innervation of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the rat hypothalamus. Light microscopy confirmed the presence of a group of bipolar and multipolar immunoreactive neurones in the hypothalamus dorsolateral to the supraoptic nucleus as well as numerous immunopositive fibers. Electron microscopy showed that the immunopositive cell bodies contained the usual perikaryal organelles while most immunoreactive fibers appeared dendritic; immunonegative terminals made synaptic contact onto these profiles. Immunopositive terminals making synaptic contact onto dendritic profiles were also noted in this area. In contrast, light microscopy showed no immunoreactivity to choline acetyltransferase in the magnocellular nuclei themselves. Electron microscopy revealed some immunopositive profiles along the boundaries of both nuclei, along the optic chiasm adjacent to the supraoptic nucleus and in the ventral glial lamina but not within the nuclei proper. Surprisingly, these immunopositive profiles appeared dendritic and were often contacted by one or more immunonegative synapses. Our observations thus indicate that cell bodies and dendrites in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei are not directly innervated by cholinergic synapses. The functional significance of the putative cholinergic dendrites in close proximity to magnocellular neurones remains to be determined.