The early internal vascularization of the rat brain. Morphological studies on foetuses of normal and protein-deprived mothers.

Abstract

The internal vascularization of the brain was studied in foetuses of normal and protein-deprived rats from embryonic day (E) 12 to 15. The position of vascular branches showed distinct relations to the various zones of the neuroepithelium. The possibility that various parts of the vascular system may differ in function, maturation, and morphogenetic relations to the neuroepithelium must be considered. The distinct vascular layers were therefore given names relating them to the respective wall zone. The ingrowth of straight stem vessels from the epiparenchymal vascular plexus into the neuroepithelium and the formation of vascular branches close to the ventricular system were referred to as stage I of the internal vascularization. The resulting plexus was called the deep vascular plexus of the ventricular zone. Its formation followed the same temporospatial gradients as the formation of the marginal zone. Following the formation of the intermediate zone, more stem vessels entered the neuroepithelium and a superficial vascular plexus of the ventricular zone was formed (stage II). This plexus was positioned close to the border between the ventricular zone and the intermediate zone. Subsequently, vascular branches also formed plexuses of the intermediate and subventricular zones (stage III). No “intraepithelial” vessels were seen on E 12. The temporospatial gradients in the telencephalic vesicles were caudal to rostral and lateral to medial, starting in the parts corresponding to the ganglionic eminence in the floor of the lateral ventricle on E 13. Only the dorsomedial angles of the hemispheres showed no vessels on E 15.