Effect of reserpine (Serpasil) and chlorpromazine (Largactil) on hypothalamic nuclei of adult female rat.

The effects of reserpine (Serpasil) and chlorpromazine (Largactil) on preoptic area (POA), supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of hypothalamus were studied in female rats having 4-day normal oestrus cycle. 30 rats were treated with reserpine in three doses i.e. 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg and 1.5 mg/kg body weight, whereas 20 other rats were treated with chlorpromazine in two doses i.e. 5.0 mg and 10.0 mg/Kg body weight. Gomori positive neurosecretory neurons of the hypothalamus were studied by measuring the diameters of nuclei and cells of POA, SON and PVN. When compared to controls both drugs caused a significant (p less than 0.001 to p less than 0.05) decrease in the nuclear and cell size of the neurons.