Structural Organization of GABA- and Nitroxidergic Systems of Subfornical Organ in Wistar Rats Postnatal Development

The subfornical organ (SFO) is one of the circumventricular organs (CVOs) of the mammalian nervous system responsible for maintaining the energy and water and sodium balance. Despite notable interest in the SFO and its physiological functions, the organization of individual populations of SFO cells, as well as their interactions, remain unclearly established. In this study, GABA and nitroxidergic systems of SFO using immunohistochemical (IHC) methods were examined. The brain of male Wistar rats at different stages of postnatal development-postnatal day 7 (P7), 14 (P14), and adult (4-6 months)-was examined. The obtained data allowed the authors to characterize changes in the activity of the GABA- and nitroxidergic systems of the SFO during development. In adult rats, three subpopulations of nitroxidergic cells, differing in the intensity of the reaction and tissue localization, can be distinguished. The revealed morphological heterogeneity of nitroxidergic cells in SFO may reflect their diverse functional status.

Automated summary

In this study, the GABA and nitroxidergic systems of the subfornical organ (SFO) were examined using immunohistochemical methods. The results showed that the activity of the GABA and nitroxidergic systems in the SFO changes during development. Three subpopulations of nitroxidergic cells with different reaction intensities and tissue localizations were found in adult rats.