Immunocytochemical localization of the vasopressinergic and the oxytocinergic neurons in the human hypothalamus.

The human hypothalamic-neurohypophysial hormone-producing nuclei were investigated with the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex (PAP) technique at the light microscopic level. The size, shape and location of the supraoptic, paraventricular, accessory supraoptic and suprachiasmatic nuclei were determined. It was demonstrated in the human hypothalamus, as well as in the hypothalamus of other mammals, that vasopressin and oxytocin are synthesized in separate neurons. In each of the nuclei of the magnocellular neurosecretory system, the distribution, ratios and structural features of the vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic neurons were determined. It was shown that the human suprachiasmatic nuclei contain numerous neurophysin-vasopressin-producing neurons.