Abstract
The supraoptic nuclei (SON) of the hypothalamus of male and female hamsters were examined immunohistochemically at 1 month of age for possible sex differences in astroglial organisation. The morphometric analysis revealed the presence of more glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining in the SON of males as compared with females. GFAP-positive processes were located among the neurosecretory neurons in the males, but were quite scarce among these neurons in the female SON. These results indicate the existence of sexual dimorphism in the SON which could be mediated by sex steroids.
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