Evidence for the existence of a sexually dimorphic nucleus in the preoptic area of the rat

Abstract

The volume of an intensely staining component of the preoptic area of the male rat is markedly larger than that of the female. Moreover, its volume in both sexes is altered by perinatal hormone exposure consistent with the view that this brain region undergoes hormone dependent sexual differentiation. The present study was carried out to determine if this sexually dimorphic area of the brain has a greater cell density than that of the surround, and if a unique population or distribution of cells, either within one sex or between males and females, characterized this region. A single coronal paraffin section (10 m̈m) through the approximate center of this sexually dimorphic area in four adult gonadectomized rats of each sex was evaluated systematically. Each cell was labelled as being inside or outside of the sexually dimorphic area. In addition to cell density per unit area the following parameters were evaluated through a closed circuit video system: cell size, staining intensity, shape, and the presence of processes and of a nucleolus. The presence of a nucleolus was further used to identify neurons within the total population of almost 5000 cells that was evaluated. In both sexes, the sexually dimorphic area was characterized by a significantly increased cell density per unit area compared to that of the surround. On this basis, the term, the Sexually Dimorphic Nucleus of the Preoptic Area (SDN‐POA) is proposed, for this region. Moreover, the SDN‐POA of the male was characterized by increased neuronal density per unit area. The SDN‐POA in the male was also found to contain larger cells and neurons, as determined by direct measurement of their greatest diameter, as well as a greater percentage of cells and neurons rated large on a three‐point scale (small, medium, and large). No consistent differences in frequency distribution by stain intensity, shape, or the presence of cell processes were found to characterize the SDN‐POA or contribute to the sexual dimorphism. It is concluded that the marked sex difference in the volume of the SDN‐POA is due principally to an increase in the male of the total area of higher cell and neuronal density. However, the present results do not eliminate the possibility that more subtle differences in neuronal characteristics may exist in the SDN‐POA.