Histochemical observations of lipids in the cerebellum of young Gunn rats.

ABSTRACT

Cerebella of 20-day-old homozygous (jj) and heterozygous (j+) Gunn rats were examined histochemically for the presence of lipids. The j+ rat cerebellum showed no lipid granules, whereas many granules were recognized in the hypoplastic jj rat cerebellum. The degree of appearance of lipid granules differed considerably among the lobes--a high content in the declive and tuber but none in the nodulus. Two kinds of cells showed a strong acid phosphatase activity and contained many lipid granules. It is suggested that the accumulation of lipids, probably cholesteryl esters, is closely related to the enhanced activity of the lysosomal system in the hypoplastic jj rat cerebellum severely injured by bilirubin.