Acetylcholinesterase activity during the ontogenesis of the subfornical organ of the rat.

From 16 to 18 days of fetal life (fl) the subfornical organ (SFO) of the rat shows diffuse acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. From 21 fl its definitive pattern begins to be organized and is achieved at 30 days of postnatal life (pl). This pattern is characterized by a homogeneous AChE activity in the rostral region, a ring-like distribution in the anterior medial region and a hoof-like distribution in the posterior medial region. The caudal region shows intense, uniform activity. From the rostral region two tracts emerge, ventral and dorsal, that extend to different diencephalo-telencephalic areas. From the SFO caudal region another tract emerges that extends to posterior areas.