Immunohistochemical distribution of DSIP immunoreactivity in the human hypothalamus during the first postnatal year. A preliminary report.

The distribution of DSIP-IR cell bodies and fibers was investigated in the normal human hypothalamus during the first postnatal year using the indirec t immunofluorescence technique. The analysis of the immunohistochemical pat terns obtained in the seven cases analyzed showed regional differences in t he localization of cell bodies and fibers. Immunoreactive perikarya were re latively few, and were mostly scattered throughout the anterior and the med iobasal hypothalamus, DSIP-IR fibers and terminal-like structures were obse rved throughout the rostro-caudal extent of the hypothalamic region. In the present study, we noticed qualitative changes in the density of DSIP immun oreactivity in several hypothalamic structures such as the preoptic area an d the median eminence with respect to age. These postnatal differences obse rved for DSIP could be related to neuronal maturation professes occurring a t this period in the central nervous system as well as other physiological processes controlling the evolution of DSIP concentrations. These data are compatible with the proposed role of the neuropeptide in the regulation of many postnatal physiological functions.