Morphometry of choroid plexus in hydrocephalic guineapigs.

ABSTRACT

To study the quantitative changes if any, in different components of the choroid plexus in association with hydrocephalus, young guineapigs were made hydrocephalic by intracisternal injection of kaolin (125 mg/ml). Choroid plexuses of these animals and controls were embedded in durcupan. Using morphometric methods volume and surface area of the choroidal epithelium and interstitial tissue were estimated from 2 microns thick sections. No significant change was observed in the volume of interstitial tissue and surface area of the luminal part of the blood vessels in the hydrocephalic guineapigs. But the volume and surface area of the choroidal epithelium of the hydrocephalic guineapigs showed significant decrease as compared to that of control group, which may be interpreted as decreased activity of the choroidal cells and in turn decreased secretion of CSF in hydrocephalus. This may be secondary to the increased intraventricular pressure associated with hydrocephalus.