The distribution of neurons containing neurotensin in the central
nervous system of the chicken was studied
immunohistochemically. The majority of the neurotensin-immunoreactive (-ir)
cell bodies were located in the
hypothalamus. Extensive groups of labelled perikarya were found in the
hypothalamic periventricular
nucleus and in the magnocellular periventricular nucleus. In addition,
ir-perikarya
were scattered throughout
the lateral hypothalamic area and in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus.
The
only extrahypothalamic
site of ir-perikarya was in the region immediately under the lateral
forebrain bundle. Immunoreactive fibres
were detected in the hippocampus, the parahippocampal area, the hypothalamus,
the
region of the tractus
corticohabenular and corticoseptal tracts, the median eminence, the region
above the posterior commissure
and in the intercollicular nucleus. The distribution pattern of the
neurotensin-ir neurons suggests that
neurotensin-like peptides are involved in the hypophysiotropic functions.