10 research outputs found
Distribution of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript in the hippocampal formation of the guinea pig and domestic pig
This study provides a detailed description concerning the distribution of cocaineand
amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) subunits - CART61-102 and
rhCART28-116 - in the hippocampal formation (HF) of the guinea pig and domestic
pig, focussing on the dentate gyrus (DG) and hippocampus proper (HP).
Although in both studied species CART-immunoreactive (CART-IR) neuronal somata
and processes were present generally in the same layers, some species-specific
differences were still found. In the granular layer (GL) of both species, the ovalshaped
neurons and some thick varicose fibres were encountered. In the guinea
pig there was an immunoreactive “band of dots”, probably representing crosssectioned
terminals within the DG molecular layer (MOL), whereas in the domestic
pig, some varicose fibres were detected, thus suggesting a different orientation of,
at least, some nerve terminals. Furthermore, some CART-positive cells and fibres
were observed in the hilus (HL) of the guinea pig, whereas in the analogical part of
the domestic pig only nerve terminals were labelled.
In both species, in the pyramidal layer (PL) of the hippocampus proper, CART-IR triangular somata were observed in the CA3 sector, as well as some positive
processes in MOL; however, a few immunoreactive perikarya were found only
in the CA1 sector of the guinea pig. As regards the localization patterns of two
isoforms of CART in the guinea pig, both peptide fragments were present simultaneously
in each of the labelled neurons or fibres, whereas in the domestic
pig three types of fibres may be distinguished within the area of the DG. In
the hilus and MOL of the dentate gyrus, there were fibres expressing both
isoforms of CART in their whole length (fibres of the first type). Fibres of the
second type (in GL) coexpressed both peptides only on their short segments,
and the last ones (in MOL) expressed solely rhCART28-116.
These results indicate that the distribution of the two CART isoforms are specifically
related, thus the relationship between the two CART isoforms may imply
different metabolic profiles of CART-expressing neurons
The nerve cells of the neostriatum in the common shrew (Sorex araneus) and bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus): a Golgi comparative study
The studies were carried out on 12 brains derived from adult representatives of two mammalian orders, Insectivora and Rodentia. The neostriatum was compared in the common shrew (Sorex araneus) and bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus).
Three main types of striatal neuron were distinguished in the common shrew and five types of neurons in the bank vole. The fifth type of bank vole neurons was additionally divided into two subtypes with respect to dendritic pattern
A morphometric study of the preoptic area of the guinea pig
The aim of the study was to provide the topography and morphometric characteristics
of the preoptic area (POA) of the guinea pig. The study was carried
out on the brains of sexually mature guinea pigs of both sexes. A uniform
procedure was followed in the study of the paraffin-embedded brain tissue
blocks of males and females. The blocks were cut in the coronal plane into
50 mm sections and stained according to the Nissl method. The guinea pig POA
consists of four parts: the medial preoptic area (MPA), lateral preoptic area
(LPA), periventricular preoptic nucleus (PPN), and median preoptic nucleus
(MPN). The topography and general structure of POA parts are similar in males
and females. However, the PPNa cells of females are more intensely stained
and are more densely packed than the PPNa cells of males. For morphometric
analysis, the MPA and LPA as well as PPN and MPN were considered respectively
as uniform structures, namely MPA-LPA and PPN-MPN. The statistical
analysis showed that the volume of the PPN-MPN was larger in males than in
females, whereas the MPA-LPA volume did not differ between the sexes. Moreover,
the numerical density and the total number of neurons were statistically
larger in males than in females in both the MPA-LPA and PPN-MPN. The parameters
describing POA neurons were larger for MPA-LPA neurons in comparison
with the PPN-MPN neurons. However, in this respect no sex differences
were observed in both studied complexes. Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 1: 15-2
The neuronal structure of the preoptic area in the mole and the rabbit: Golgi and Nissl studies
The present studies were carried out on the brains of the adult mole and rabbit.
The preparations were made by means of the Golgi technique and the Nissl
method. Two types of neurons were distinguished in the preoptic area (POA) of
both species: bipolar and multipolar. The bipolar neurons have oval, fusiform or
round perikarya and two dendritic trunks arising from the opposite poles of the
cell body. The dendrites bifurcate once or twice. The dendritic branches have
swellings, single spine-like and filiform processes. The multipolar neurons usually
have triangular and quadrangular perikarya and from 3 to 5 dendritic trunks.
The dendrites of the mole neurons branch sparsely, whereas the dendrites of
the rabbit neurons display 2 or 3 divisions. On the dendritic branches varicosities
and different protuberances were observed. The general morphology of the
bipolar and multipolar neurons is similar in the mammals studied, although the
neurons of the rabbit POA display a more complicated structure. Their dendritic
branches show more divisions and possess more swellings and different processes
than the dendrites of the neurons of the mole POA. Furthermore, of the
multipolar neurons only the dendrites in POA of the rabbit were observed to
have a rosary-like beaded appearance
The neuronal structure of the dorsal nucleus of the lateral geniculate body in the common shrew (Sorex araneus) and the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus): Golgi and Nissl studies
The topography and neuronal structure of the dorsal nucleus of the lateral geniculate
body (GLd) of the common shrew and the bank vole are similar. The
lateral geniculate body of both the species examined has a homogeneous structure
and no observable cytoarchitectonic lamination. On the basis of the shape
of the dendritic arbours as well as the pattern of dendritic arborisations the
following two types of neurons were distinguished. Type I “bushy” neurons that
have multipolar or round perikarya (common shrew perikarya 9–12 µm, bank
vole perikarya 10–13 µm), with 4–6 short thick dendritic trunks that subdivide
into many bush-like branches. The dendritic trunks are smooth, in contrast to
the distal branches, which are covered with numerous spine-like protrusions of
different lengths and forms. An axon emerges from the soma, sometimes very
close to one of the primary dendrites. The type I neurons are typically projection
cells that send their axons to the primary visual cortex. These neurons predominate
in the GLd of both species. Type II neurons, which have an elongated
soma with primary dendrites arising from opposite poles of the perikaryon (common
shrew perikarya 8–10 µm, bank vole perikarya 9–11 µm). The dendritic
arbours of these cells are less extensive and their dendrites have fewer spines
than those of the type I neurons. Axons were seldom observed. The type II
neurons are presumably interneurons and are definitely less numerous than the
type I neurons
A morphometric comparative study of the lateral geniculate body in selected placental mammals: the common shrew, the bank vole, the rabbit, and the fox
The lateral geniculate body (LGN) was morphometrically examined and compared
in representatives of four mammalian orders (Insectivora, Rodentia, Lagomorpha,
and Carnivora). In each studied species, the lateral geniculate body
was divided into two distinct parts: the dorsal nucleus (LGNd) and the ventral
nucleus (LGNv). The lateral geniculate body of the common shrew and the
bank vole are very similar in appearance and nuclear pattern. The dorsal and
ventral nuclei of these two species also have the most similar statistical characteristics.
The lateral geniculate body of the fox has the most complicated morphology
and multilayered structure. A significant disproportion was observed
between the sizes of both geniculate nuclei in the fox, where the dorsal nucleus
definitely surpassed the ventral nucleus in terms of volume. With the exception
of the fox, the neuronal density of the LGN nuclei was negatively correlated
with the volumes of the LGN. The mean neuronal size of the LGNd and
LGNv, which was the resultant of the length, width, area, and circumference
of the soma, grew correlatively to the volumes of these nuclei. In all examined
species, somas of the LGNd neurons are distinctly larger and have more similar
shapes than the LGNv perikarya. In addition, the numerical density of neurons
in the ventral nucleus is significantly higher than in the dorsal nucleus. All these
morphometric parameters clearly differentiate the LGNd from the LGNv
The morphology and cell structure of some nuclei in tuberal region of bison bonasus
The topography, shape and cell structure of the ventromedial, dorsomedial and infundibular- nuclei in aurochs hypothalamus were studied on the basis of standard hi-sterological preparations. These nuclei are uniform cell bands. Nucleus infundibularis is the longest center in tuberal region and enter the mamillary area. Its posterior part has maximum size. The ventromedial nucleus is outlined and developed best. It is typical ring-shaped in anterior half of its length. The dorsomedial nucleus is developed best in its middle sector. There is no clear border between Dm and Ni. Comparing the topography and structure of Ni, Vm and Dm of bison with analogic centers of other- mammals, it was found that have more common features with these nuclei in breeding domestic animals
The morphometric study of the amygdala in the rabbit
Volumetric measurements of the individual nuclei in the amygdala (CA) of the rabbit reveal poor development of the basolateral (BL) and lateral olfactory tract (NLOT) and medial (ME) nuclei. On the other hand, the volumes of the lateral (LA), basomedial (BM), central (CE) and cortical (CO) nuclei are remarkable in this species. A comparison of the densities of neurons in the individual nuclei with the mean numerical density of cells in the rabbit CA indicates that the densities of neurons in LA, BL and BM are significantly lower than the mean
(p < 0.05), whereas in CE, CO, ME and NLOT these values are significantly
higher than the mean (p < 0.05). It should be noted, however, that of all the nuclei studied those in CE show the greatest similarity in density to CA as a whole. To some extent a similar division of the rabbit CA may be made using the size parameters of the amygdaloid neurons as a marker. The large neurons populate less densely organised CA areas such as LA, BL and BM, whereas the small cells create ME and NLOT, where the neurons are densely arranged. The CE and CO occupy intermediate positions, with the neurons similar in size to the mean for
the total rabbit CA.
These morphometric data from CA in the rabbit, when compared with the similar
data for the common shrew and guinea pig (see our previous papers), lead
to the conclusion that the amygdalae in all three species are very similar with
respect to the distribution of neurons in relation to density and size and that, when volumetric measurements are taken into account, CA in the rabbit is much more similar to that of the guinea pig than that of the common shrew
Brain anatomy of the 4鈥恉ay鈥恛ld European rabbit
International audienceThe European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a widely used model in fundamental, medical and veterinary neurosciences. Besides investigations in adults, rabbit pups are relevant to study perinatal neurodevelopment and early behaviour. To date, the rabbit is also the only species in which a pheromone - the mammary pheromone (MP) - emitted by lactating females and active on neonatal adaptation has been described. The MP is crucial since it contributes directly to nipple localisation and oral seizing in neonates, i.e. to their sucking success. It may also be one of the non-photic cues arising from the mother, which stimulates synchronisation of the circadian system during pre-visual developmental stages. Finally, the MP promotes neonatal odour associative and appetitive conditioning in a remarkably rapid and efficient way. For these different reasons, the rabbit offers a currently unique opportunity to determine pheromonal-induced brain processing supporting adaptation early in life. Therefore, it is of interest to create a reference work of the newborn rabbit pup brain, which may constitute a tool for future multi-disciplinary and multi-approach research in this model, and allow comparisons related to the neuroethological basis of social and feeding behaviour among newborns of various species. Here, in line with existing experimental studies, and based on original observations, we propose a functional anatomical description of brain sections in 4-day-old rabbits with a particular focus on seven brain regions which appear important for neonatal perception of sensory signals emitted by the mother, circadian adaptation to the short and single daily nursing of the mother in the nest, and expression of specific motor actions involved in nipple localisation and milk intake. These brain regions involve olfactory circuits, limbic-related areas important in reward, motivation, learning and memory formation, homeostatic areas engaged in food anticipation, and regions implicated in circadian rhythm and arousal, as well as in motricity