Localization of dopamine in the endocrine hypothalamus of the rat.

Microspectrofluorometry, fluorescence histochemistry and light and electron microscopic autoradiography have established the presence of sub-populations of neurons in the arcuate-periventricular region of the rat hypothalamus that sequester both radiolabeled dopamine and demonstrate formaldehyde-induced fluorescence. These characteristics are consistent with a catecholaminergic function. Selective sequestration of 3H-dopamine at the light and ultrastructural level is discussed in the context of an ultrashort loop autoregulatory mechanism for this neuronal population.