The use of stereotactic dissection followed by fluorimetric assay to determine the distribution of noradrenaline dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the preoptic hypothalamic area of rabbit brain

摘要

>1 A method of stereotactic dissection followed by fluorimetric assay, has been used to determine the distribution of noradrenaline, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) within the preoptic hypothalamic area of rabbit brain.>2 The method involved subdividing the area into a number of thin slices cut with reference to stereotactic co-ordinates. The amine content of each slice was then determined fluorimetrically.>3 Noradrenaline was shown to be concentrated (>2.0 μg/g) in two areas within the preoptic hypothalamic area, both of which were adjacent to the mid-saggittal line: the first was close to the preoptic nucleus and the second immediately caudal to the main group of hypothalamic nuclei.>4 Dopamine was evenly distributed throughout the preoptic hypothalamic area.>5 5-HT was concentrated (>1.6 μg/g) towards the lateral borders of the area, principally in the region which joins the preoptic area to the anterior hypothalamus.>6 The relative merits of the stereotactic approach and the histochemical approach are discussed.