Ultrastructure of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system in rats exposed to lead. I. Magnocellular nuclei.

The effect of lead on ultrastructure of supraoptic and paraventricular neurons was studied in rats allowed to drink lead acetate solution instead of water during 6 weeks. Generally, the neurosecretory neurons appeared to be sensitive to lead dependently on its concentrations, but the ultrastructural patterns of the individual neurons varied from cell to cell and suggested the co-existence of the neurons in different functional states such as the increased secretory activity, adaptive responses or cellular degeneration.