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Abstract
The dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) output pathways are revealed by using autoradiographic
tracing of tritium labeled Leucine and by the recently introduced Phaseolus vulgaris
leuco-agglutinin immunocytochemical method. Terminal labeling appears in the dorsal
motor nucleus of the vagus, nucleus ambiguus and in the parvocellular reticular formation
at the lower medullary level. Mesencephalic labeling is found in the periaqueductal
gray at the level of the oculomotor nucleus. In the hypothalamus labeled terminal
boutons are identified in the lateral and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei but also
in the parvocellular paraventricular nucleus. Furthermore, the circumventricular organs
are found to receive a dense DMH input, particularly the organum vasculosum of the
lamina terminalis and the subfornical organ. These findings are discussed in relation
to the dorsomedial nucleus involvement in the control of feeding and pancreatic hormone
release. It appears that the DMH participates in this control via descending pathways
to the preganglionic pancreas innervating neurons but also via a neuroendocrine route.
The latter connection is indicated by terminal labeling in the parvocellular paraventricular
nucleus in the area that contains the corticotropin-releasing factor positive cells.