The Same Magnocellular Neurons Send Axon Collaterals to the Posterior Pituitary and Retina or to the Posterior Pituitary and Autonomic Preganglionic Centers of the Eye in Rats

In rats, some parvocellular paraventricular neurons project to spinal autonomic centers. Using the virus tracing technique, we have demonstrated that magnocellular neurons, but not supraoptic also preganglionic centers of mammary gland, gingiva, or lip. A part these has shown oxytocin immunoreactivity. present experiment, examined whether same neuron sends fibers retina eye projects posterior pituitary. Double neurotropic viral labeling and immunohistochemistry were used. After inoculation pituitary with viruses, spreading in a retrograde direction expressing different fluorescence proteins, looked for double-labeled nuclei. Double-labeled observed non-sympathectomized cervical-sympathectomized animals. Some contained oxytocin. optic nerve was cut, did appear nucleus; however, it could still be nucleus. nucleus, cells may origin centrifugal visual premotor neurons. all are fibers.