• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.209-222
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• 1993

The present study attempts to explore the first appearance 8nd subsequent development of %cosine hvdroxvlase (TH)-containing neurons in the rat brain from embryonic day (E) 10.5 to the neonate. To increase the senti노ivity and resolution power, a double bridge peroxidase-anti-peroxidase technique was employed for cellular localization of TH. In situ hybridization histochemistw with synthetic TH oligomer (30-mer) codinB TH was also used to detect TH mRNA. TH-containing neurons were first detected at E11.5 in the intermediate zone of prosencepha1on and mesencephalon. At this stage, TH-immunoreactive neurons were small, ovoid bee and emitted their fibres into their immediate surroundings. From this stage, TH-immunoreactive neurons increased in their number and underwent migration and cell differentiation. At E15.5, the distribution pattern of the maior groups of TH neurons was similar to that of adult catecholaminergic groups, and at E19.5 the external laver of median eminence showed TH-immunoreactive processes.