Estradiol-concentrating neurons: topography in the hypothalamus by dry-mount autoradiography.

Serial section autoradiograms were prepared of different planes of the hypothalamus and diencephalon of immature female, immature male, and ovariectomized mature rats injected with 6,7-(3)H-estradiol-17 beta. Known causes of diffusion and redistribution of the label, such as fixation, embedding, and thawing, were eliminated by the use of an autoradiographic technique based on the dry-mounting of freeze-dried sections. Neurons that concentrate estradiol exist in distinct and definable anatomical areas that are independent of the sex and hormonal state of the animals. Distribution of these neurons follows known terminations of the stria terminalis, which supports the concept of an endocrine amygdaloid-hypothalamic-hypophysial axis.