Reversible fine structural changes in the supraoptic nucleus of the rat following intraventricular administration of colchicine.

A single low dose (3.5 micrograms or 7.0 micrograms) of colchicine injected intraventricularly into normally hydrated or dehydrated (7 or 4 days) and, subsequently, rehydrated (3 hours) rats caused a number of characteristic changes within the perikarya of the supraoptic nucleus. The temporary slow-down of axonal transport of neurosecretory granulated vesicles (NGVs) and their continued synthesis led to a perikaryal accumulation of NGVs, and changes in their electron-density are considered to be indicative of their continued maturation. In some neurons, the biosynthetic pathway appears to be interrupted or temporarily impaired as evidenced by the accumulation of material of varying electron-density and of granules within the cisternae of the rough ER. An increased number of varying types of lysosomes and phagolysosomes is indicative for the disposal of NGVs within the perikaryon. Most of them are, however, removed through resumption of axonal transport which leads to the reestablishment of pre-experimental fine structural characteristics within approximately 9 days. In the osmotically stressed groups, the fine structural changes are more pronounced but equally reversible.