RESUMO
The septal area occupies a key position between the limbic telencephalon and the nuclei of the diencephalon. Its physiological role and connections have recently gained much attention. To describe the pattern of distribution of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterases, succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase in the septal area correlate the results with the main neural connections of this area. Serial fresh frozen coronal sections from the septal area of the brains of 40 adult male rats were stained for the above-mentioned three enzymes. Alpha-naphthyl acetate esterases demonstrated the highest reactivity in the perikarya of the medial septal division. In the lateral septal division, the enzyme reactivity was particularly high in the neuropil. Succinate dehydrogenase was mainly localized in the neuropil. The lateral septal division revealed the highest reactivity. The perikarya of the medial septal division demonstrated high reactivity in contrast with the neuropil. Cytochrome oxidase localization was comparable with that of succinate dehydrogenase with only minor differences. A schematic map for each enzyme was revealed to provide detailed base-line knowledge for future perturbation and pathological studies