Developmental pattern of VIP binding sites in the human hypothalamus.

We have studied the developmental patterns of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) binding sites in the human hypothalamus. VIP recognition sites were widely distributed throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the hypothalamus. VIP binding was generally low in the fetal and neonatal periods and a tendency in increasing densities was observed during postnatal development. The age comparison of binding density indicates variations in several structures. Thus, the densities were higher in older infants in the preoptic area, lamina terminalis, and infundibular (IN) nucleus. These differences suggest the implication of VIP receptors in the development of this brain structure and the maintenance of its various functions.