[Posterior hypothalamic region in Ovis aries L. I. Mammilary body nucleus].

In the present study, the cytoarchitectonic structure of the nuclei of the mamillary body has been studied on 4 age groups of Merino sheep and the following has been found: There is a significant intraspecific variability in the construction of mamillary body. Some of the animals studied have odd others paired mamillary bodies. Variability has been stated in the formation of the medial mamillary nucleus. The topographical relation of the mamillary nuclei to other hypothalamic structures during postnatal development did not change. Only the rostro-caudal length of the nuclei could be examined as changed. The quantity of Nissl substance increased in the cells of both mamillary nuclei studied which is related to maturation of the animals. Increased amounts of glial cells were observed during the postnatal period.