Studies on the fine structural localization of zinc iodide-osmium reaction in the brain. III. Some characteristics of localization in the synaptosomes.

Synaptosomes from rat cerebral cortex were impregnated in the zinc iodide--osmium (ZIO) solution. The fine structural localization of the ZIO impregnation product was studied and, in addition, the function-dependent features of the reaction were examined after electrical stimulation or potassium chloride treatment. It was revealed that: (i) Aldehyde prefixation resulted in an increase in the number of reactive synaptic vesicles in all types of synaptosomes; (ii) Electrical stimulation decreased the number of reactive vesicles in a voltage dependent manner; (iii) Potassium chloride treatment also reduced the reactivity of vesicles; the reduction was dependent on the concentration of potassium and duration of treatment; (iv) Experimental interventions leading to the release of neurotransmitters from the synaptic vesicles and to fatigue of the nerve terminals also resulted in a decrease of the ZIO-reaction product of synaptic vesicles in a manner proportional to the strength of stimuli.