The neuroanatomical distribution and morphology of neurons that produce gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the brain of the postpubertal male Djungarian hamster was studied using light microscopic immunocytochemistry. Analysis of every section from the rostral olfactory tubercle to the medial basal hypothalamus indicate 356 +/- 37 immunoreactive GnRH perikarya per brain (mean +/- SE; n = 4 brains). Over 90% of GnRH cell bodies were found in 6 brain regions; the largest number of somata were located in the medial preoptic area followed by the diagonal band, lateral hypothalamus, lateral preoptic area, lateral septum and anterior hypothalamus. Morphologically, two predominant types of GnRH neurons were identified: unipolar GnRH cells with an ovoid soma and only a single distinct process (about 40% of all GnRH neurons), and bipolar cells with a fusiform-shaped perikaryon. Overall and in most brain regions, the ratio of unipolar to bipolar GnRH perikarya was 2:3 or greater. A significant proportion of GnRH neurons had an unusually "thick" process(es) that exited the soma and tapered gradually. GnRH fibers were evident in most sections, forming dense plexuses in the arcuate nucleus-median eminence, the periventricular region of the third ventricle and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis. These findings indicate that the Djungarian hamster is similar to other rodent species, especially the white-footed mouse, in the neuroanatomical distribution of GnRH neurons. The present report provides a working atlas for the rostral ventral forebrain of the postpubertal Djungarian hamster.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)