Neurogenesis of the hamster suprachiasmatic nucleus

Neurogenesis of the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) was described in the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) using tritiated 3H]thymidine autoradiography. Pregnant hamsters were given single intraperitoneal injections of 3H]thymidine at different times during prenatal development, and labeled cells were analyzed in the offspring of 4-5 weeks of age. Cells of the hamster SCN became postmitotic (were 'born') over two and a half days from 10.5 to 13.0 days postfertilization (dpf) with a peak around 11.5 dpf, 4 days before birth. Two gradients in SCN neurogenesis were observed. Posterior cells were produced somewhat earlier than anterior cells and ventrolateral cells were produced before dorsomedial cells. An exception to the second gradient was a small population of ventrolateral cells produced near the end of SCN neurogenesis. The pattern of SCN neurogenesis in the hamster was similar to that described in the rat, including a predominant ventrolateral to dorsomedial gradient and the presence of ventral or ventrolateral cells produced relatively late, contrary to the predominant gradient.