Do Hypothalamic Neuroendocrine Cells Have a Synaptic Output?

Abstract

The main problems concerning the synthesis of vasopressin and oxytocin in the cell bodies of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, the axonal transport of the neurosecretory material to the neurohypophysis, and its release into the general circulation have been clarified to some extent. Hypothalamic neuroendocrine cells have a dual function: as secreting cells, they produce, store and release octapeptide hormones, while as neurons they are capable of receiving, integrating and conveying neural information. Below, we present some evidence which suggests that they share still another property with conventional neurones, namely that they establish synaptic contacts with nerve cells«

Supported by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation and the F. Hoffmann-La Roche Foundation.