3H-GABA uptake and acetylcholinesterase activity in dissociated cell cultures of the medial hypothalamus.

Medial hypothalamic tissue of 1 to 4 days old rats was dissociated and cultured in vitro for 8--10 days. Neuronal perikarya were demonstrated by supravital methylene blue staining and electron microscopy. Synapses with typical vesicles and subsynaptic thickening were also observed. 3H-GABA was taken up into a small percentage of the cells in the cultures. Neuron-like perikarya and long processes accumulated the label while many neurons contained much less activity. Some astroglial and oligodendroglial cells and processes also accumulated GABA. A few neurons in these cultures contained acetylcholinesterase. It is concluded that neurons concentrating GABA and containing acetylcholinesterase are present in the hypothalamus of rats of 1 to 4 days of age and can be maintained in dissociated cell culture.