AIM: To observe the degeneration of choline acetyltransferase(ChAT) neurons in the basal forebrain due to ovariectomy and aging so as to explore the effects of ovariectomy or aging on ChAT neurons and their cell processes. METHODS: Immunocytochemical staining with specific antibody against ChAT was used to examine ChAT-immunoreativity of neurons and their cell processes in the basal forebrain of young and aged female rats and ovariectomized rats. RESULTS: A significant reduction occurred in the number(237± 8), size [ (100.86± 37.01) μ m2] and the number of cell processes(100.86± 37.01) of ChAT-immunoreative neurons in the ovariectomized group as compared with the normal female rats(t=4.82-33.08, P< 0.05). Significant differences were identified in the number of cells(320± 11, 185± 12; 220± 14, 164± 11),size[(172± 63) and( 200± 69) μ m2; (125± 38) and (129± 44 )μ m2]and the number of cell processes(1.17± 0.45, 1.64± 0.23; 0.76± 0.45, 1.17± 0.42) between the normal group and aged group (t=9.11-31.02, P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Significant morphological changes of ChAT immunoreactive neurons in the basal forebrain and their cell processes occur in ovariectomized and aged rats. These findings may provide evidence to explain cognitive deficit induced by aging and neurodegenerative diseases.%目的:本实验通过观察卵巢切除和衰老对基底前脑的内侧隔核和斜角带水平肢的乙酰胆碱转移酶胆碱能神经元变化,来探讨卵巢切除和衰老对基底前脑的胆碱能神经元胞体和突起的影响. 方法:通过利用乙酰胆碱转移酶免疫组织化学的方法观察正常成年雌性组、切除卵巢组和老年组的动物胆碱能神经元形态和突起的变化. 结果:切除卵巢组的动物的胆碱能神经元的细胞数( 237± 8),细胞大小( 100.86± 37.01) μ m2,突起长度( 100.86± 37.01)与正常成年雌性组之间有明显的差异性(t=4.82～ 33.08,P< 0.05).正常雌性组和老年组的乙酰胆碱转移酶的细胞数( 320± 11, 185± 12; 220± 14, 164± 11),细胞大小( 172± 63, 200± 69; 125± 38, 129± 44),突出数目( 1.17± 0.45, 1.64± 0.23; 0.76± 0.45, 1.17± 0.42)有明显的差异性( t=9.11～ 31.02, P< 0.05). 结论 :切除卵巢和衰老能够引起基底前脑的胆碱能神经元胞体大小、数目及其突起数目的明显减少,这有可能解释衰老或神经退行性疾病导致的认知功能障碍.
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