The mass distribution in the innermost regions of spiral galaxies

We use high-spatial resolution (similar to 100 pc) rotation curves of 83 sp iral galaxies to investigate the mass distribution of their innermost kpc. We show that, in this region, the luminous matter completely accounts for t he gravitational potential and no dark component is required. The derived I -band disk mass-to-light ratios y(I) agree well with those obtained from po pulation synthesis models and correlate with color in a similar way. We fin d strict upper limits of similar to 10(7) M-. for the masses of compact bod ies at the center of spirals, ruling out that these systems host the remnan ts of the quasar activity. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.