Supraependymal cell clusters in the rat brain.

The histological patterns of supraependymal cell clusters (CC) in rats of different ages (untreated, androgenized, and treated with monosodium glutamate) were investigated with light (LM)-, scanning- and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM). These clusters were a frequent but not a constant finding. In 18 day- and older embryos, CC were always found in the recess of the olfactory bulb immediately prior to its obliteration. All other CC appear in the infundibular recess between the 3rd and the 6th postnatal day. Independent of age, all cell clusters exhibit small aggregates of subependymal tissue protruding through the ependyma. Both neurons (light cells) and neuroglia (dark cells) were found in the CC. By use of SEM, in the region of the infundibular recess it is possible to distinguish four forms of supraependymal cell clusters according to localization, size, number of cells, and presence of intraventricular axons. CC may be 1) receptors or have an additional secretory function; 2) Manifestations of a pathological type of reaction of the ventricular wall; 3) possible excrescences of the neural matrix, or 4) modifications of the ventricular wall in relation to the obliteration of the ventricular recesses. The first two interpretations are not tenable based on the present observations.