[Evolution of the storage site of iron-dextran after retrograde axonal transport in the rat central nervous system (author's transl)].

The uptake, transport, and storage of an iron-dextran complex (used as a neuroanatomical tracer in the nigrostriatal pathway of rat) by neurons of the CNS is described. The complex is taken up by endocytosis and transported by lysosomes. Some iron-containing mitochondria are observed within the nigral cell bodies. The neuronal labelling remains for 10 days. Thereafter, the iron labelling of neurons decreases. No important neuronal degeneration is observed as a result of iron toxicity. The iron lost by neurons is taken up by glial cells. It is converted into ferritin and increases the intracerebral endogenous iron content.