It has been known that magnocellular neuroendocrine cells (MNCs) of mammalian
hypothalamus show structural plasticity in response to chronic osmotic stimulation. In this
study, we investigated the relationships among plasma osmolarity and several structural
changes such as alterations of soma size, juxtaposition, and synapses of the supraoptic
nucleus (SON) in the rat hypothalamus during dehydration and rehydration. Male rats were
osmotically stimulated by supplying with 2% Nad solution instead of tap water for 10 days …