Organization of the ferret lateral cervical nucleus and cervicothalamic tract

To elucidate the organization of the ferret spinocervicothalamic pathway (SCTP), we examined the lateral cervical nucleus (LCN) and the termination of the cervicothalamic tract (CTT) in this species. In thionin-stained sections, the ferret LCN appeared as an easily delineated column of cells in the dorsolateral funiculus from about mid-C3 to the rostral end of C1, with most cells located in the C1 and C2 segments. In transverse sections, the LCN was elongated along a dorsolateral to ventromedial axis and in the rostral half of C2 and caudal half of C1 continuous with the neck of the dorsal horn. The number of ferret LCN cells was estimated to 2,500-3,700, with an average of 3,340. Substance P-like immunoreactive fibers located preferentially in the ventromedial part of the LCN, whereas serotonin-like immunoreactive fibers were found throughout the nucleus. Anterograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate and biotinylated dextran amine demonstrated that the ferret CTT terminates extensively in the peripheral parts of the ventral posterior lateral nucleus. Sparser termination was evident in the ventral posterior inferior nucleus, in the medial nucleus of the posterior complex, and in the medial part of the magnocellular medial geniculate nucleus. Thus, although the LCN is significantly smaller in ferrets than in cats and raccoons, the organization of the LCN and of the cervicothalamic tract is closely similar in the three species. These findings indicate a conserved general organization of the SCTP among carnivores.     

Primary projections of the trigeminal nerve in two species of sturgeon: Acipenser oxyrhynchus and Scaphirhynchus platorynchus

Horseradish peroxidase histochemical studies of afferent and efferent projections of the trigeminal nerve in two species of chondrostean fishes revealed medial, descending and ascending projections. Entering fibers of the trigeminal sensory root project medially to terminate in the medial trigeminal nucleus, located along the medial wall of the rostral medulla. Other entering sensory fibers turn caudally within the medulla, forming the trigeminal spinal tract, and terminate within the descending trigeminal nucleus. The descending trigeminal nucleus consists of dorsal (DTNd) and ventral (DTNv) components. Fibers of the trigeminal spinal tract descend through the lateral alar medulla and into the dorsolateral cervical spinal cord. Fibers exit the spinal tract throughout its length, projecting to the ventral descending trigeminal nucleus (DTNv) in the medulla and to the funicular nucleus at the obex. Retrograde transport of HRP through sensory root fibers also revealed an ascending bundle of fibers that constitutes the neurites of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, cell bodies of which are located in the rostral optic tectum. Retrograde transport of HRP through motor root fibers labeled ipsilateral cells of the trigeminal motor nucleus, located in the rostral branchiomeric motor column.     

The efferent connections of the lateral septal nucleus in the guinea pig: projections to the diencephalon and brainstem

Summary The anterograde Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) tracing technique was used to determine the distribution of efferent fibers originating in the lateral septal nucleus of the guinea pig. For complementary detection of the chemical identity of the target neurons, double-labeling immunocytochemistry was performed with antibodies to PHA-L and to vasopressin, oxytocin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, serotonin or dopamine -hydroxylase, respectively. The hypothalamus received the majority of the PHA-L-stained septofugal fibers. Here, a specific topography was observed. (1) The medial and lateral preoptic area, (2) the anterior, lateral, dorsal, posterior hypothalamic and retrochiasmatic area, (3) the supraoptic, paraventricular, suprachiasmatic, dorsomedial, caudal ventromedial and arcuate nuclei, and (4) the tuberomammillary, medial and lateral supramammillary, dorsal and ventral premammillary nuclei always contained PHA-L-labeled fibers. The rostral portion of the ventromedial nucleus and the medial and lateral mammillary nucleus only occasionally showed weak terminal labeling. In other diencephalic areas, termination of PHA-L-labeled fibers was observed in the epithalamus and the nuclei of the midline region of the thalamus. In the mesencephalon, terminal varicosities occurred in the ventral tegmental area, interfascicular and interpeduncular nucleus, and periaqueductal gray. In addition, the dorsal and medial raphe nuclei of the metencephalon, together with the locus coeruleus and the dorsal tegmental nucleus, received lateral septal efferents.     

催产素、精氨酸加压素、促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素、神经肽Y、神经降压肽、P物质及亮氨酸脑啡肽免疫阳性纤维在大鼠结合臂旁核的分布

应用免疫细胞化学 ABC 技术观察了催产素、精氨酸加压素、促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素、神经肽 Y、神经降压肽、P 物质及亮氨酸脑啡肽免疫反应阳性纤维在大鼠结合臂旁核中的分布。催产素阳性纤维稀少,分布于腹外侧亚核、外外侧亚核、背外侧亚核及外外侧亚核与背外侧亚核之间的移行区。加压素阳性纤维亦甚为稀少,分布于腹外侧亚核、背外侧亚核、外外侧亚核与极外侧亚核.促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素阳性纤维分布于尾侧部臂旁核腰区、外外侧亚核腹内侧部、极外侧亚核、背外侧亚核、中央外侧亚核、内外侧亚核及臂旁内侧核。神经肽 Y 阳性纤维大多为串珠状的终末祥结构,分布于尾侧部腹外侧亚核、背外侧亚核、外外侧亚核背外侧部及外内侧亚核,在上外侧亚核、结合臂背内侧端背侧及臂旁内侧核腹侧部也有少量分布.神经降压肽阳性纤维分布于尾侧部臂旁核腰区、背外侧亚核、背外侧亚核与外外侧亚核之间的移行区、外外侧亚核、外内侧亚核及中吻部臂旁内侧核腹侧部。P 物质及亮氨酸脑啡肽阳性纤维分布于所有的臂旁外侧核诸亚核及外内侧亚核。     

Central connections of the olfactory bulb in the goldfish,Carassius auratus

Summary The central connections of the goldfish olfactory bulb were studied with the use of horseradish peroxidase methods. The olfactory bulb projects bilaterally to ventral and dorsolateral areas of the telencephalon; further targets include the nucleus praeopticus periventricularis and a caudal olfactory nucleus near the nucleus posterior tuberis in the diencephalon, bilaterally. The contralateral bulb and the anterior commissure also receive an input from the olfactory bulb. Contralateral projections cross in rostral and caudal portions of the anterior commissure and in the habenular commissure. Retrogradely labeled neurons are found in the contralateral bulb and in three nuclei in the telencephalon bilaterally; the neurons projecting to the olfactory bulb are far more numerous on the ipsilateral side than in the contralateral hemisphere. Afferents to the olfactory bulb are found to run almost entirely through the lateral part of the medial olfactory tract, while the bulb efferents are mediated by the medial part of the medial olfactory tract and the lateral olfactory tract. Selective tracing of olfactory sub-tracts reveals different pathways and targets of the three major tract components. Reciprocal connections between olfactory bulb and posterior terminal field suggest a laminated structure in the dorsolateral telencephalon.     

CCK—8、M—ENK免疫反应结构在猫延髓吻侧腹侧区的分布

用免疫组化 ABC 技术,观察了八肽缩胆囊素(CCK—8),甲硫氨酸脑啡肽(M—ENK)免疫反应(IR)结构在猫延髓吻侧腹侧区的分布。结果表明:CCK—8—IR 细胞分内、外两群:内侧群细胞分布于巨细胞网状核(NGc)、旁巨细胞外侧核(PGL)以及下橄榄核背外侧的网状结构,从吻侧向尾侧逐渐减少;外侧群细胞分布于外侧网状核(LRN)及其背内侧网状结构,从吻侧向尾侧逐渐增多。在中缝苍白核(Rpa)、中缝大核(Rm)仅见少量 CCK—8—IR 细胞。察见 CCK—8—IR纤维主要有3种:粗、细和终末前纤维。CCK—8—IR 纤维在面后核、疑核以及二核紧邻的网状结构最为密集;在 PGL 密度中等;在 NGc、LRN、Rpa 和 Rm 稀疏分布。M—ENK—IR 细胞和纤维分布于 Rpa、Rm、NGc、PGL 和 LRN,此外在面后核、疑核以及二核紧邻的网状结构可见较密集的纤维。     

Immunohistochemical mapping of galanin-like neurons in the rat central nervous system

Using an antiserum generated in rabbits against synthetic galanin (GA) and the indirect immunofluorescence method, the distribution of GA-like immunoreactive cell bodies and nerve fibers was studied in the rat central nervous system (CNS) and a detailed stereotaxic atlas of GA-like neurons was prepared. GA-like immunoreactivity was widely distributed in the rat CNS. Appreciable numbers of GA-positive cell bodies were observed in the rostral cingulate and medial prefrontal cortex, the nucleus interstitialis striae terminalis, the caudate, medial preoptic, preoptic periventricular, and preoptic suprachiasmatic nuclei, the medial forebrain bundle, the supraoptic, the hypothalamic periventricular, the paraventricular, the arcuate, dorsomedial, perifornical, thalamic periventricular, anterior dorsal and lateral thalamic nuclei, medial and central amygdaloid nuclei, dorsal and ventral premamillary nuclei, at the base of the hypothalamus, in the central gray matter, the hippocampus, the dorsal and caudoventral raphe nuclei, the interpeduncular nucleus, the locus coeruleus, ventral parabrachial, solitarii and commissuralis nuclei, in the A1, C1 and A4 catechaolamine areas, the posterior area postrema and the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia. Fibers were generally seen where cell bodies were observed. Very dense fiber bundles were noted in the septohypothalamic tract, the preoptic area, in the hypothalamus, the habenula and the thalamic periventricular nucleus, in the ventral hippocampus, parts of the reticular formation, in the locus coeruleus, the dorsal parabrachial area, the nucleus and tract of the spinal trigeminal area and the substantia gelatinosa, the superficial layers of the spinal cord and the posterior lobe of the pituitary. The localization of the GA-like immunoreactivity in the locus coeruleus suggests a partial coexistence with catecholaminergic neurons as well as a possible involvement of the GA-like peptide in a neuroregulatory role.     

Distribution of oxytocin and vasopressin neurons in the diencephalon of the Japanese horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. An immunohistochemical study.

The distribution of oxytocin (OXT) and vasopressin (VP) neurons in the diencephalon of the hibernating Japanese horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, was immunohistochemically investigated by the avidin-biotin complex method. Magnocellular OXT and VP neurons were localized mainly in the paraventricular nucleus and the supraoptic nucleus. In addition to these main nuclei, both kinds of magnocellular neurons were also found in the periventricular nucleus, perifornical area and lateral hypothalamic area. Extensively distributed parvocellular neurons containing only VP were observed in the rostral and middle portions of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The size of OXT and VP magnocellular neurons was almost equal in the paraventricular and ventromedial supraoptic nuclei, whereas VP neurons were significantly larger than OXT neurons in the dorsolateral supraoptic nucleus. The OXT and VP cells in the ventral supraoptic nucleus showed a distinctive elliptical shape. Both OXT and VP fibers were distributed in the lateral habenular nucleus, stria medullaris thalami, lateral preoptic area, stria terminalis, and medial and supracapsular part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Moreover, OXT fibers were found in the substantia nigra, and VP fibers were noted in the nucleus reunions and the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus.     

Projections of the optic tectum and the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve in the tegu lizard (Tupinambis nigropunctatus)

Summary Fibers undergoing Wallerian degeneration following tectal lesions were demonstrated with the Nauta and Fink-Heimer methods and traced to their termination. Four of the five distinct fiber paths originating in the optic tectum appear related to vision, while one is related to the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminus. The latter component of the tectal efferents distributes fibers to 1) the main sensory nucleus of the trigeminus, 2) the motor nucleus of the trigeminus, 3) the nucleus of tractus solitarius, and 4) the intermediate gray of the cervical spinal cord.The principal ascending bundle projects to the nucleus rotundus, three components of the ventral geniculate nucleus and the nucleus ventromedialis anterior ipsilaterally, before it crosses in the supraoptic commissure and terminates in the contralateral nucleus rotundus, ventral geniculate nucleus and a hitherto unnamed region dorsal to the nucleus of the posterior accessory optic tract.Fibers leaving the tectum dorso-medially terminate in the posterodorsal nucleus ipsilaterally and the stratum griseum periventriculare of the contralateral tectum. The descending fiber paths terminate in medial reticular cell groups and the rostral spinal cord contralaterally and in the torus and the lateral reticular regions ipsilaterally. The ipsilateral fascicle also issues fibers to the magnocellular nucleus isthmi.     

Thiamine-like fibers in the monkey brain: an immunocytochemical study

The distribution of thiamine-immunoreactive structures was studied in the brain of the monkey using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Fibers containing thiamine, but no thiamine-immunoreactive cell bodies, were found. The highest density of fibers containing thiamine was observed in the pulvinar nucleus and in the region extending from the pulvinar nucleus to the caudate nucleus. In the mesencephalon, immunoreactive fibers containing thiamine were only found at rostral level close to the medial lemniscus (at the mesencephalic-diencephalic junction). In the thalamus, the distribution of thiamine-immunoreactive structures was more widespread. Thus, immunoreactive fibers were found in nuclei close to the midline (centrum medianum/parafascicular complex), in the ventrolateral thalamus (medial geniculate nucleus, inferior pulvinar nucleus), and in the dorsolateral thalamus (lateral posterior nucleus, pulvinar nucleus). Finally, in the anterior commissure and in the cerebral cortex a low density immunoreactive fibers was visualized. Thus, in the brainstem, no immunoreactive structures were visualized in the medulla oblongata, pons, or in the medial-caudal mesencephalon, and no immunoreactive fibers were observed in the cerebellum, hypothalamus and in the basal ganglia. The present report describes the first visualization and the morphological characteristics (thick, smooth and short, medium or long in length) of the thiamine-immunoreactive fibers in the primate central nervous system using an antiserum directed against this vitamin. The distribution of thiamine-immunoreactive structures in the monkey brain suggests that this vitamin could be involved in several physiological mechanisms.     

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-containing neurons: distribution throughout the brain of the chick (Gallus domesticus) with focus upon the lateral septal organ

The distribution of VIP-like perikarya and fibers was determined throughout the chick brain. The most rostral immunoreactive perikarya were found to be cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons in the pars medialis of the lateral septal organ. Additional data were presented supporting the idea that the lateral septal organ is another circumventricular organ within the brain of birds (Kuenzel and van Tienhoven 1982). A large group of immunoreactive perikarya was found in the lateral hypothalamic area and appeared continuous with immunoreactive neurons in the anterior medial and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei (n). A few perikarya were located in the paraventricular hypothalamic n. A number of immunoreactive neurons were found within and about the infundibular and inferior hypothalamic n., none however was immunoreactive cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons. Immunoreactive perikarya were found predominantly in laminae 10–11 of the stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale. A few scattered perikarya were found ventromedial to the n. tegmenti pedunculo-pontinus pars compacta and locus ceruleus. Some of the immunoreactivity was unusual, being very homogeneous within the cell body with little evidence of the material in the axon or dendrites. Perikarya were found in the central gray, n. intercollicularis, and area ventralis of Tsai. The most caudal structure showing immunoreactive neurons was the n. reticularis paragigantocellularis lateralis. Brain areas containing the most abundant immunoreactive fibers, listed from the rostral-most location, were found in the ventromedial region of the lobus parolfactorius and the lateral septal n. Continuing caudally, there were immunoreactive fibers within the periventricular hypothalamic n.; some of the fibers were found to travel for some distance parallel to the third ventricle. Dense immunoreactive fibers were found in the tractus cortico-habenularis et cortico-septalis, medial habenular n. and posterior and dorsal n. of the archistriatum. A number of areas had what appeared to be baskets of immunoreactive fibers (perhaps immunoreactive terminals) surrounding non-reactive perikarya. Brain areas containing terminals included the piriform cortex, area ventralis of Tsai, interpeduncular n., and specific regions of the stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale. A very dense immunoreactivity occurred within the external zone of the median eminence, the dorsolateral parabrachial n., and n. tractus solitarii. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide appears to be a useful peptide for defining the neuroanatomical constituents of the visceral forebrain in birds.     

Distribution of trigeminothalamic and spinothalamic lamina I terminations in the cat

The distribution in the thalamus of terminal projections from lamina I neurons of the trigeminal, cervical, and lumbosacral dorsal horn was investigated with the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) in the cat. Iontophoretic injections were guided by single- and multi-unit physiological recordings. The injections in particular cases were essentially restricted to lamina I, whereas in others they spread across laminae I-III or laminae I-V. The trigemino- and spinothalamic (TSTT) terminations were identified immunohistochemically. In all cases, regardless of the level of the injections, terminal fibers were consistently distributed in three main locations: the submedial nucleus; the ventral aspect of the basal ventral medial nucleus and ventral posterior nuclei; and, the dorsomedial aspect of the ventral posterior medial nucleus. The terminal fields in the submedial nucleus and the ventral aspect of the ventral posterior group were topographically organized. Terminations along the ventral aspect of the ventral posterior group extended posterolaterally into the caudal part of the posterior nucleus and anteromedially into the ventromedial part of the ventral lateral nucleus. In several cases with trigeminal lamina I injections, a terminal labeling patch was observed within the core of the ventral posterior medial nucleus. In cases with spinal lamina I injections, terminations were also consistently found in the lateral habenula, the parafascicular nucleus, and the nucleus reuniens. Isolated terminal fibers were occasionally seen in the zona incerta, the dorsomedial hypothalamus, and other locations. These anatomical observations extend prior studies of TSTT projections and identify lamina I projection targets that are important for nociceptive, thermoreceptive, and homeostatic processing in the cat. The findings are consistent with evidence from physiological (single-unit and antidromic mapping) and behavioral studies. The novel identification of spinal lamina I input to the lateral habenula could be significant for homeostatic behaviors.     

Distribution of trigeminothalamic and spinothalamic lamina I terminations in the cat

The distribution in the thalamus of terminal projections from lamina I neurons of the trigeminal, cervical, and lumbosacral dorsal horn was investigated with the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) in the cat. Iontophoretic injections were guided by single- and multi-unit physiological recordings. The injections in particular cases were essentially restricted to lamina I, whereas in others they spread across laminae I–III or laminae I–V. The trigemino- and spinothalamic (TSTT) terminations were identified immunohistochemically. In all cases, regardless of the level of the injections, terminal fibers were consistently distributed in three main locations: the submedial nucleus; the ventral aspect of the basal ventral medial nucleus and ventral posterior nuclei; and, the dorsomedial aspect of the ventral posterior medial nucleus. The terminal fields in the submedial nucleus and the ventral aspect of the ventral posterior group were topographically organized. Terminations along the ventral aspect of the ventral posterior group extended posterolaterally into the caudal part of the posterior nucleus and anteromedially into the ventromedial part of the ventral lateral nucleus. In several cases with trigeminal lamina I injections, a terminal labeling patch was observed within the core of the ventral posterior medial nucleus. In cases with spinal lamina I injections, terminations were also consistently found in the lateral habenula, the parafascicular nucleus, and the nucleus reuniens. Isolated terminal fibers were occasionally seen in the zona incerta, the dorsomedial hypothalamus, and other locations. These anatomical observations extend prior studies of TSTT projections and identify lamina I projection targets that are important for nociceptive, thermoreceptive, and homeostatic processing in the cat. The findings are consistent with evidence from physiological (single-unit and antidromic mapping) and behavioral studies. The novel identification of spinal lamina I input to the lateral habenula could be significant for homeostatic behaviors.     

Immunocytochemical localization of growth hormone releasing factor (GHRF)-containing structures in the rat brain using anti-rat GHRF serum

The distribution of growth hormone releasing factor (GHRF) immunoreactive structures in the rat hypothalmus was studied after colchicine treatment with PAP immunocytochemistry in vibratome sections using an antiserum directed to rat hypothalamic GHRF. The majority of the GHRF-immunoreactive cell bodies were found in the arcuate nucleus, the medial perifornical region, and the ventral premammillary nuclei of the hypothalamus. Scattered cells were seen in the lateral basal hypothalamus, the medial and lateral portions of the ventromedial nucleus, and the dorsomedial and paraventricular nuclei. Immunoreactive fibers were observed in all the regions mentioned above. GHRF terminals were located in the central region of the median eminence. In addition, GHRF-immunoreactive neuronal processes were seen in the ventral region of the dorsomedial nucleus, the medial preoptic and suprachiasmatic regions, dorsal portion of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminals and the hypothalamic portion of the stria terminals. The localization of GHRF-immunoreactive terminals in the median eminence reinforces the view that GHRF plays a physiological role in the regulation of pituitary function. In addition, the localization of GHRF-immunoreactive structures in areas not usually considered to project to the median eminence suggest that GHRF may act as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter.     

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-containing neurons: distribution throughout the brain of the chick (Gallus domesticus) with focus upon the lateral septal organ

The distribution of VIP-like perikarya and fibers was determined throughout the chick brain. The most rostral immunoreactive perikarya were found to be cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons in the pars medialis of the lateral septal organ. Additional data were presented supporting the idea that the lateral septal organ is another circumventricular organ within the brain of birds (Kuenzel and van Tienhoven 1982). A large group of immunoreactive perikarya was found in the lateral hypothalamic area and appeared continuous with immunoreactive neurons in the anterior medial and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei (n). A few perikarya were located in the paraventricular hypothalamic n. A number of immunoreactive neurons were found within and about the infundibular and inferior hypothalamic n., none however was immunoreactive cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons. Immunoreactive perikarya were found predominantly in laminae 10–11 of the stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale. A few scattered perikarya were found ventromedial to the n. tegmenti pedunculo-pontinus pars compacta and locus ceruleus. Some of the immunoreactivity was unusual, being very homogeneous within the cell body with little evidence of the material in the axon or dendrites. Perikarya were found in the central gray, n. intercollicularis, and area ventralis of Tsai. The most caudal structure showing immunoreactive neurons was the n. reticularis paragigantocellularis lateralis. Brain areas containing the most abundant immunoreactive fibers, listed from the rostral-most location, were found in the ventromedial region of the lobus parolfactorius and the lateral septal n. Continuing caudally, there were immunoreactive fibers within the periventricular hypothalamic n.; some of the fibers were found to travel for some distance parallel to the third ventricle. Dense immunoreactive fibers were found in the tractus cortico-habenularis et cortico-septalis, medial habenular n. and posterior and dorsal n. of the archistriatum. A number of areas had what appeared to be baskets of immunoreactive fibers (perhaps immunoreactive terminals) surrounding non-reactive perikarya. Brain areas containing terminals included the piriform cortex, area ventralis of Tsai, interpeduncular n., and specific regions of the stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale. A very dense immunoreactivity occurred within the external zone of the median eminence, the dorsolateral parabrachial n., and n. tractus solitarii. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide appears to be a useful peptide for defining the neuroanatomical constituents of the visceral forebrain in birds.     

Distribution of neuropeptide K-immunoreactivity in the rat central nervous system

The distribution of neuropeptide K (NPK), a 36-residue amidated peptide originally isolated from porcine brain, is described in the rat CNS by immunohistochemical methods. Antibodies were generated in rabbits to N-terminus and C-terminus regions of the peptide and the distribution of immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers was mapped in colchicine-treated and normal rat brains. Major areas of cell body staining included the medial habenular nucleus, the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, the interpeduncular nucleus, the lateral dorsal tegmental nucleus, the nucleus raphe pallidus, and the nucleus of the solitary tract. Some of the areas of dense NPK-fiber immunoreactivity included the ventral pallidum, the caudate-putamen, certain areas of the hypothalamus, the central and medial amygdaloid nuclei, the entopeduncular nucleus, the habenular nuclei, the substantia nigra pars reticulata, the caudal part of the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, the nucleus of the solitary tract and the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. A striking similarity exists between this pattern of immunoreactive staining and that described for substance P, suggesting that the tachykinin systems do not exist independently in the brain. The possible roles for multiple tachykinins in the brain are discussed.     

An analysis of the cyto- and myeloarchitectonic organization of trigeminal nucleus interpolaris in the rat

The cyto- and myeloarchitectonic organization of trigeminal nucleus interpolaris (Vi) was examined in the rat using correlated Nissl- and myelin-stained sections. The caudal boundary of Vi is marked by a spatial overlap with the rostral pole of the medullary dorsal horn (MDH), where there is a dorsal and medial displacement of the substantia gelatinosa (SG, lamina II) layer of MDH. This spatial displacement was further documented using cytochrome-oxidase-reacted sections through the periobex region (POR) of the medulla, where the relatively unstained SG contrasts sharply with the intensely stained Vi neuropil. The rostral boundary of Vi is characterized partly by a distinct overlap with the caudal pole of the dorsomedial region (DM) of trigeminal nucleus oralis (Vo), and partly by a more gradual transition with ventral and lateral regions of Vo. The presence of the distinct MDH-Vi overlap is discussed in terms of its impact on the widespread contention that Vi is involved in the processing of dental pain afferents in the POR. Six separate and distinct regions of rat Vi can be distinguished on the basis of differences in their overall cyto- and myeloarchitecture: (1) a ventrolateral parvocellular region (vlVipc), which occupies the ventrolateral caudal half of Vi; (2) a ventrolateral magnocellular region (vlVimc), which occupies a similar region in the rostral half of the nucleus; (3) a border region (brVi), interposed between the spinal trigeminal tract (SVT) and vlVipc and vlVimc; (4) a dorsolateral region (dlVi), which lies predominantly in the rostral two-thirds of Vi subjacent to the dorsal half of SVT; (5) a dorsal cap region (dcVi), occupying the dorsomedial aspect of the nucleus throughout its entire rostrocaudal extent; and (6) an intermediate region (irVi), which lies immediately ventral to dcVi within the concavity formed by the medial borders of vlVipc and vlVimc. It is proposed that these cyto- and myeloarchitecturally distinct regions of Vi may largely represent functionally distinct regions, based on reported differences in the organization of afferent and efferent projections within the nucleus.     

Organization of the sensory and motor nuclei of the glossopharyngeal and vagal nerves in lampreys

Anterograde and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase was used to examine the afferent and efferent projections of the glossopharyngeal and vagal nerves in the lamprey, Lampetra japonica. Except for the ganglion cells and motoneurons, the distribution patterns of HRP-positive elements differed little between the two nerves. Afferent fibers mainly terminated in the ipsilateral cerebellar area, medial octavolateralis nucleus, and between the ventral octavolateralis nucleus and descending tract and nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (dV). In the cerebellar area, most of the labeled fibers were located in the molecular zone, but some penetrated into the granular zone. In the rostral part of the medial octavolateralis nucleus, labeled fibers coursed from the middle to the lateral area, and in the caudal part, they were localized in the dorsal area of the nucleus. In the area between the dV and ventral octavolateralis nucleus, labeled fibers coursed near the dorsal margin of the rostral part of the dV, and in the caudal part, they shifted dorsally. Ganglion cells and motoneurons of each nerve were also labeled.     

A reinvestigation of the Gn-RH (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone) systems in the goldfish brain using antibodies to salmon Gn-RH

Summary The organization of Gn-RH systems in the brain of teleosts has been investigated previously by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against the mammalian decapeptide which differs from the teleostean factor. Here, we report the distribution of immunoreactive Gn-RH in the brain of goldfish using antibodies against synthetic teleost peptide.Immunoreactive structures are found along a column extending from the rostral olfactory bulbs to the pituitary stalk. Cell bodies are observed within the olfactory nerves and bulbs, along the ventromedial telencephalon, the ventrolateral preoptic area and the latero-basal hypothalamus. Large perikarya are detected in the dorsal midbrain tegmentum, immediately caudal to the posterior commissure. A prominent pathway was traced from the cells located in the olfactory nerves through the medial olfactory tract and along all the perikarya described above to the pituitary stalk. In the pituitary, projections are restricted to the proximal pars distalis. A second immunoreactive pathway ascends more dorsally in the telencephalon and arches to the periventricular regions of the diencephalon. Part of this pathway forms a periventricular network in the dorsal and posterior hypothalamus, whereas other projections continue caudally to the medulla oblongata and the spinal cord. Lesions of the ventral preoptic area demonstrate that most of the fibers detected in the pituitary originate from the preoptic region.     

The suprachiasmatic nucleus in the sheep: retinal projections and cytoarchitectural organization

The retinal innervation, cytoarchitectural, and immunohistochemical organization of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) was studied in the domestic sheep. The SCN is a large elongated nucleus extending rostrocaudally for roughly 3 mm in the hypothalamus. The morphology is unusual in that the rostral part of the nucleus extends out of the main mass of the hypothalamus onto the dorsal aspect of the optic chiasm. Following intraocular injection of wheat-germ agglutininhorseradish peroxidase or tritiated amino acids, anterograde label is distributed throughout the SCN. Retinal innervation of the SCN is bilaterally symmetric or predominantly ipsilateral. Quantitative image analysis demonstrates that, although the amount of autoradiographic label is greatest in the ventral and central parts of the nucleus, density varies progressively between different regions. In addition to the SCN, retinal fibers are also seen in the medial preoptic area, the anterior and lateral hypothalamic areas, the dorsomedial hypothalamus, the retrochiasmatic area, and the basal telencephalon. Whereas the SCN can be identified using several techniques, complete delineation of the nucleus requires combined tract tracing, cytoarchitectural, and histochemical criteria. Compared with the surrounding hypothalamic regions, the SCN contains smaller, more densely packed neurons, and is largely devoid of myelinated fibers. Cell soma sizes are smaller in the ventral SCN than in the dorsal or lateral parts, but an obvious regional transition is lacking. Using Nissl, myelin, acetylcholinesterase, and cytochrome oxidase staining, the SCN can be clearly distinguished in the rostral and medial regions, but is less differentiated toward the caudal pole. Immunohistochemical demonstration of several neuropeptides shows that the neurochemical organization of the sheep SCN is heterogeneous, but that it lacks a distinct compartmental organization. Populations of different neuropeptide-containing cells are found throughout the nucleus, although perikarya positive for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and fibers labeled for methionine-enkephalin are predominant ventrally; neurophysine-immunoreactive cells are more prominent in the dorsal region and toward the caudal pole. The results suggest that the intrinsic organization of the sheep SCN is characterized by gradual regional transitions between different zones.