The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the rat hypothalamus in culture: an anatomical and electrophysiological study.

This study shows that foetal neurons from the suprachiasmatic area, after dissociation and culture, contain in vitro the same characteristics as are found in the in vivo situation. The main peptidergic neurotransmitters present in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in vivo, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and vasopressin, are expressed in vitro while the cytoskeleton of these cells possesses phosphorylated neurofilaments. The exclusive uptake of Lucifer Yellow liposomes by neurons is also refound in suprachiasmatic cultures. The electrophysiological results are in agreement with those characteristics found in vitro and in vivo.