Localization of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the cat hypothalamus, with special reference to fluorescence histochemistry

Development of the Periventricular Nucleus as a Brain Center, Containing Dopaminergic Neurons and Neurons Expressing Individual Enzymes of Dopamine Synthesis

We have recently shown that the periventricular nucleus (PeVN) of adult rats is a "mixed dopaminergic (DAergic) center" containing three thousand neurons: DAergic neurons and those expressing one of the dopamine (DA)-synthesizing enzymes. This study aims to evaluate the development of the PeVN as a mixed DAergic center in rats in the perinatal period, critical for brain morphogenesis. During this period, the PeVN contains DAergic neurons and monoenzymatic neurons expressing individual enzymes of DA synthesis: tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). In the perinatal period, the total number of such neurons triples, mainly due to monoenzymatic neurons; the content of L-DOPA, the end product of monoenzymatic TH neurons, doubles; and the content of DA, the end product of monoenzymatic AADC neurons and DAergic neurons, increases sixfold. Confocal microscopy has shown that, in the PeVN, all types of neurons and their processes are in close relationships, which suggests their mutual regulation by L-DOPA and DA. In addition, monoenzymatic and DAergic fibers are close to the third cerebral ventricle, located in the subependymal zone, between ependymal cells and in the supraependymal zone. These observations suggest that these fibers deliver L-DOPA and DA to the cerebrospinal fluid, participating in the neuroendocrine regulation of the brain.

Distribution and morphology of the catecholaminergic neural elements in the human hypothalamus

Previous studies have demonstrated that catecholaminergic, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (IR) perikarya and fibers are widely distributed in the human hypothalamus. Since TH is the key and rate-limiting enzyme for catecholaminergic synthesis, these IR neurons may represent dopaminergic, noradrenergic or adrenergic neural elements. However, the distribution and morphology of these neurotransmitter systems in the human hypothalamus is not entirely known. Since the different catecholaminergic systems can be detected by identifying the neurons containing the specific key enzymes of catecholaminergic synthesis, in the present study we mapped the catecholaminergic elements in the human hypothalamus using immunohistochemistry against the catecholaminergic enzymes, TH, dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT). Only a few, PNMT-IR, adrenergic neuronal elements were found mainly in the infundibulum and the periventricular zone. DBH-IR structures were more widely distributed in the human hypothalamus occupying chiefly the infundibulum/infundibular nucleus, periventricular area, supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. Dopaminergic elements were detected by utilizing double label immunohistochemistry. First, the DBH-IR elements were visualized; then the TH-IR structures, that lack DBH, were detected with a different chromogen. In our study, we conclude that all of the catecholaminergic perikarya and the majority of the catecholaminergic fibers represent dopaminergic neurons in the human hypothalamus. Due to the extremely small number of PNMT-IR, adrenergic structures in the human hypothalamus, the DBH-IR fibers represent almost exclusively noradrenergic neuronal processes. These findings suggest that the juxtapositions between the TH-IR and numerous peptidergic systems revealed by previous reports indicate mostly dopaminergic synapses.

Localization of L-DOPA uptake and decarboxylating neuronal structures in the cat brain using dopamine immunohistochemistry

The present study examined dopamine-immunoreactive neuronal structures using immunohistochemistry in conjunction with an anti-dopamine antiserum, following injection of l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) with or without an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (Pargyline) in the cat brain. L-DOPA injection made it possible to detect dopamine immunoreactivity in presumptive serotonergic and noradrenergic cell bodies and axons. Weak to moderate dopamine immunoreactivity was observed in non-aminergic cells (possibly so-called "D" cells containing aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC)) in several hypothalamic, midbrain, pontine and medullary nuclei. Intense dopamine immunoreactivity became visible in a large number of cells and axons (possibly containing AADC) with wide distribution in the brain following administration of L-DOPA with Pargyline. AADC is most likely active in cells and axons that take up L-DOPA, where it decarboxylates the L-DOPA to dopamine. However, newly synthesized dopamine in such cells is rapidly oxidized by monoamine oxidase.

Has dopamine a physiological role in the control of sexual behavior? A critical review of the evidence

The role of dopaminergic systems in the control of sexual behavior has been a subject of study for at least 40 years. Not surprisingly, reviews of the area have been published at variable intervals. However, the earlier reviews have been summaries of published research rather than a critical analysis of it. They have focused upon the conclusions presented in the original research papers rather than on evaluating the reliability and functional significance of the data reported to support these conclusions. During the last few years, important new knowledge concerning dopaminergic systems and their behavioral functions as well as the possible role of these systems in sexual behavior has been obtained. For the first time, it is now possible to integrate the data obtained in studies of sexual behavior into the wider context of general dopaminergic functions. To make this possible, we first present an analysis of the nature and organization of sexual behavior followed by a summary of current knowledge about the brain structures of crucial importance for this behavior. We then proceed with a description of the dopaminergic systems within or projecting to these structures. Whenever possible, we also try to include data on the electrophysiological actions of dopamine. Thereafter, we proceed with analyses of pharmacological data and release studies, both in males and in females. Consistently throughout this discussion, we make an effort to distinguish pharmacological effects on sexual behavior from a possible physiological role of dopamine. By pharmacological effects, we mean here drug-induced alterations in behavior that are not the result of the normal actions of synaptically released dopamine in the untreated animal. The conclusion of this endeavor is that pharmacological effects of dopaminergic drugs are variable in both males and females, independently of whether the drugs are administered systemically or intracerebrally. We conclude that the pharmacological data basically reinforce the notion that dopamine is important for motor functions and general arousal. These actions could, in fact, explain most of the effects seen on sexual behavior. Studies of dopamine release, in both males and females, have focused on the nucleus accumbens, a structure with at most a marginal importance for sexual behavior. Since accumbens dopamine release is associated with all kinds of events, aversive as well as appetitive, it can have no specific effect on sexual behavior but promotes arousal and activation of non-specific motor patterns. Preoptic and paraventricular nucleus release of dopamine may have some relationship to mechanisms of ejaculation or to the neuroendocrine consequences of sexual activity or they can be related to other autonomic processes associated with copulation. There is no compelling indication in existing experimental data that dopamine is of any particular importance for sexual motivation. There is experimental evidence showing that it is of no importance for sexual reward.

4.5 kb of the rat tyrosine hydroxylase 5' flanking sequence directs tissue specific expression during development and contains consensus sites for multiple transcription factors

To delineate DNA sequences responsible for developmentally correct expression of the rat tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene, we analyzed a line of transgenic mice expressing high levels of human placental alkaline phosphatase (AP) under control of 4.5 kb of 5' flanking DNA from the rat TH gene in embryos and adults. Several regions, such as the accessory olfactory bulb, which were not thought to synthesize TH protein or do so only transiently, were shown to express TH protein using an improved method of antigen retrieval for TH immunohistochemistry. Many of these regions had been shown to express TH-driven reporter genes in transgenic mice. In the central nervous system, AP was detected in essentially all TH-expressing cell groups throughout development and in adults. In the peripheral nervous system, transgene expression paralleled endogenous TH expression in the developing adrenal medulla and sympathetic ganglia but not in transiently TH-positive cells in dorsal root ganglia. Peripheral expression in the adult adrenal medulla was very weak and absent in sympathetic ganglia. The specificity with which the 4.5 kb region directs transgene expression in embryos is comparable to that observed with longer 5' flanking promoter regions, implying that this region contains the control elements for appropriate expression during development. Sequence analysis of the region demonstrates a GT dinucleotide repeat, an element that resembles the neural restrictive silencer element (NRSE), which restricts transcription of neuronal genes in non-neuronal cells, and consensus sites for three families of transcription factors, Ptx1/3, Nurr1 and Gli1/2, which are required for the early differentiation of mesencephalic neurons.

Visualization of local afferent inputs to magnocellular oxytocin neurons in vitro

We recently showed that oxytocin (OT) neurons in organotypic slice cultures obtained from postnatal rat hypothalamus display complex patterns of electrical activity, similar to those of adult magnocellular OT neurons in vivo. Here we used such cultures to investigate the identity and, in particular, the origin of afferent inputs responsible for this activity. Multiple immunostaining with light and confocal microscopy showed that the somata and dendrites of oxytocinergic neurons were contacted by numerous synapses, visualized by their reaction to the synaptic markers, synaptophysin or synapsin. Many were GABAergic, displaying immunoreactivities for glutamic acid decarboxylase or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA); others were enriched in glutamate immunoreactivity. Such afferents presumably arose from GABA- or glutamate-immunoreactive neurons, respectively, with distinct and characteristic morphologies and topographies. A few dopaminergic boutons (tyrosine hydroxylase- or dopamine-immunopositive) impinged on OT neurons; they arose from dopamine-positive neurons located along the third ventricle. No noradrenergic profiles were detected. Despite the presence of choline acetyl-transferase (ChAT)-immunoreactive neurons, there were no cholinergic contacts. Lastly, we found oxytocinergic synapses, identified by immunoreaction for OT-related neurophysin and synapsin, contacting OT somata and dendrites. Our observations thus demonstrate that inhibitory and excitatory inputs to OT neurons derive from local intrahypothalamic GABA and glutamate neurons, in close proximity to the neurons. They also reveal that OT neurons are innervated by hypothalamic dopaminergic neurons. Finally, they confirm the existence of homotypic OT synaptic contacts which derive from local OT neurons.

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase- and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunohistochemistry in the adult human hypothalamus

The distribution of cell bodies immunoreactive for tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase was studied in the adult human hypothalamus. Many neurons in the posterior (A11) and caudal dorsal hypothalamic areas (A13) as well as in the arcuate (A12) and periventricular (A14) zone were immunoreactive for the two enzymes, suggesting that they were dopaminergic. Numerous tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons, which were not immunoreactive for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, could be seen in the paraventricular, supraoptic and accessory nuclei (A15) as well as in the rostral dorsal hypothalamic area. These were considered to be non-dopaminergic. Conversely, large numbers of small neurons immunoreactive for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase but not for tyrosine hydroxylase, were identified in the premammillary nucleus (D8), zona incerta (D10), lateral hypothalamic area (D11), anterior portion of the dorsomedial nucleus (D12), suprachiasmatic nucleus (D13), medial preoptic area and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (D14). In the human hypothalamus, besides dopaminergic cell bodies, there exists a large number of tyrosine hydroxylase-only and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase-only neurons, whose physiological roles remain to be determined.

Presence of galanin in dopaminergic neurons of the sheep infundibular nucleus: a double staining immunohistochemical study

The distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and of galanin immunoreactive (IR) neurons were examined in the sheep infundibular nucleus. Antisera raised against TH and galanin were used on adjacent sections and for double immunohistochemical staining of the same sections. There was considerable overlap in the distribution of TH and galanin-IR neurons in the medial part of the nucleus. Most of the galanin-IR neurons were also TH-IR, but less than 50% of the TH-IR neurons also expressed galanin immunoreactivity. Neurons immunoreactive to TH alone were observed close to the third ventricle and in the rostral part of the infundibular nucleus. In the median eminence, TH and galanin-IR fibres overlapped mainly in the lateral and dorsal parts of the external layer, but the colocalisation of both antigens could not be assessed on the available material. Thus, in sheep, the population of catecholaminergic neurons of the infundibular nucleus may be subdivided into different subpopulations according to their peptide content, but does not appear segregated as in rat and human.

Immunocytochemical distribution of catecholamine-synthesizing neurons in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland of pigs: tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase

This study describes the distribution of catecholaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland of the domestic pig, Sus scrofa, an animal that is widely used as an experimental model of human physiology in addition to its worldwide agricultural importance. Hypothalamic catecholamine neurons were identified by immunocytochemical staining for the presence of the catecholamine synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. Tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive perikarya were observed in the periventricular region throughout the extent of the third ventricle, the anterior and retrochiasmatic divisions of the supraoptic nucleus, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the ventral and dorsolateral regions of the paraventricular nucleus and adjacent dorsal hypothalamus, the ventrolateral arcuate nucleus, and the posterior hypothalamus. Perikarya ranged from parvicellular (10-15 microns) to magnocellular (25-50 microns) and were of multiple shapes (rounded, fusiform, triangular, or multipolar) and generally had two to five processes with branched arborization. No dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunoreactive perikarya were observed within the hypothalamus or in the adjacent basal forebrain structures. Both tyrosine hydroxylase- and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-immunoreactive fibers and punctate varicosities were observed throughout areas containing tyrosine hydroxylase perikarya, but dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunoreactivity was very sparse within the median eminence. Within the pituitary gland, only tyrosine hydroxylase fibers, and not dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunoreactive fibers, were located throughout the neurohypophyseal tract and within the posterior pituitary in both pars intermedia and pars nervosa regions. Generally, the location and patterns of both catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes were similar to those reported for other mammalian species except for the absence of the A15 dorsal group and the very sparse dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunoreactive fibers and varicosities in the median eminence in the pig. These findings provide an initial framework for elucidating behavioral and neuroendocrine species differences with regard to catecholamine neurotransmitters.

Cellular expression of mRNAs encoding monoamine oxidases A and B in the rat central nervous system

Monoamine oxidases A and B (MAO-A and MAO-B) oxidatively deaminate neurotransmitter and xenobiotic amines. The cellular localization of these isoenzymes in the central nervous system (CNS) differs markedly and only partly reflects the distribution of their presumed natural substrates. In the present study, by using in situ hybridization with 35S-labelled oligonucleotide probes, we examined the distribution of mRNAs encoding MAO-A and MAO-B in the rat CNS. Probes for tyrosine hydroxylase, histidine decarboxylase, and tryptophan hydroxylase mRNAs were used to demonstrate the catecholaminergic, histaminergic, or serotoninergic nature of some cell populations in adjacent sections. The radioligands [3H]-Ro 41-1049 and [3H]lazabemide (reversible and selective inhibitors of MAO-A and MAO-B, respectively) were used to reveal the protein distribution by enzyme radioautography. The distribution and abundance of transcripts for both isoenzymes in the tissues investigated differed markedly but, in general, correlated with the protein distribution. MAO-A mRNA and protein were most abundant in noradrenergic neurons. However, moderate levels of transcript expression and protein were also detected in the serotoninergic neurons, and low but significant levels were detected in the dopaminergic neurons. An unexpectedly remarkable degree of hybridization signal was apparent in nonaminergic cell populations, e.g., in the cerebral cortices, the hippocampal formation (CA1-3, dentate gyrus), the cerebellar granule cell layer, and the spinal cord motoneurons. In contrast, MAO-B mRNA and protein were most abundant in serotoninergic and histaminergic neurons, Bergmann glial cells, and circumventricular organs, including the ependyma. MAO-B transcripts were also weakly expressed in nonaminergic cells, e.g., in the hippocampal formation (CA1-2). A further nonneuronal localization of MAO-B transcripts was also resolved, e.g., in the glia limitans, the olfactory nerve layer, and the cerebellar peduncle. These findings reveal further the potential of various cell populations to synthesize the isoenzymes, and homologous (aminergic) and heterologous (nonaminergic) patterns of expression as well as coexpression of MAO mRNAs are described.

Immunocytochemical localization of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, in the hypothalamus of cattle

Immunocytochemical staining for the presence of catecholamine synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase, was used to characterize the regional distribution of catecholaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus and adjacent areas of domestic cattle, Bos taurus. In steers, heifers and cows, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive perikarya was located throughout periventricular regions of the third cerebral ventricle, in both anterior and retrochiasmatic divisions of the supraoptic nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus, and ventral and dorsolateral regions of the paraventricular nucleus, dorsal hypothalamus, ventrolateral aspects of the arcuate nucleus, along the ventral hypothalamic surface between the median eminence and optic tract, and in the posterior hypothalamus. Immunostained perikarya ranged from small (10-20 microns, parvicellular) to large (30-50 microns, magnocellular) and were of multiple shapes: round, triangular, fusiform or multipolar, often with 2-5 processes of branched arborization. There were no dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunoreactive perikarya observed within the hypothalamus and adjacent structures. However, both tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunoreactive fibers and punctate varicosities were observed throughout regions of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity perikarya. Generally, the location and pattern of hypothalamic tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunoreactive were similar to those reported for most other large brain mammalian species, however, there were several differences with commonly used small laboratory animals. These included intense tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity of perikarya within the retrochiasmatic division of the supraoptic nucleus (ventral A15 region), the absence of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive perikarya below the anterior commissure or within the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (absence of the dorsal A15 region), an abundance of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive perikarya within the ependymal layer of the median eminence, heavy innervation of the arcuate nucleus with dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunoreactive fibers and varicosities, and the paucity of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunoreactive throughout the median eminence.

Catecholaminergic region A15 in the bovine and porcine hypothalamus

Magnocellular perikarya within the retrochiasmatic division of the supraoptic nucleus of bovine and porcine hypothalami were immunoreactive (ir) with antiserum against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), but not dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH). Few cells in this region were also immunoreactive for vasopressin (VP) or oxytocin (OT). In contrast, the main division of the supraoptic nucleus contained numerous perikarya immunoreactive for VP and OT, but not TH nor DBH. Both the retrochiasmatic and principal divisions of the supraoptic nuclei contained TH- and DBH-ir fibers and varicosities. This region in bovine and porcine hypothalami corresponds to the ventral A15 catecholaminergic (dopamine-producing) cell group.

Chemical analysis of neurotransmitter candidates in clonal cell lines from Drosophila central nervous system. I. ACh and L-dopa

To characterize neuronal phenotypes, aminergic neurotransmitters, i.e. acetylcholine (ACh), catecholamine (CA)s and other biogenic amines (serotonin, octopamine), were surveyed in 10 colonial clones from one cell line of Drosophila larval CNS using HPLC-ECD system. ACh, which is a neurotransmitter in Drosophila, was found in 7 out of 10 clones. CAs, their metabolites, and other amines were not detected in any clones. However, all the 10 clones expressed L-dopa, a precursor of CAs. Consequently, seven clones expressed ACh and L-dopa. L-dopa as a novel neurotransmitter candidate was discussed.

Catecholamine innervation of the intestine of flying foxes (Pteropus spp.): a substantial supply from enteric neurons

The distribution of catecholamines in the small and large intestine of flying foxes (Pteropus spp.) was investigated using glyoxylic-acid-induced fluorescence and immunohistochemical staining of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. Dense networks of varicose axons stained by each of these methods supplied blood vessels, the mucosa and both submucous and myenteric ganglia, but were scarce in the circular and longitudinal muscle. The majority (> 90%) of submucous neuronal perikarya contained both enzymes and most of these also exhibited catecholamine fluorescence. Somata of similar staining characteristics were less common in the myenteric plexus, where single cells were found in only the minority of ganglia. All of the stained submucosal somata and mucosal axons contained vasoactive intestinal peptide, whereas catecholamine-containing axons that supplied the ganglia, external muscle and blood vessels did not. It is concluded that (1) there is dense catecholamine innervation of most tissues in the flying-fox intestine, similar to many other mammals, (2) mucosal axons originate from enteric catecholamine neurons, not found in other mammals, and (3) axons supplying the blood vessels and enteric ganglia are probably of sympathetic origin and can be distinguished from the intrinsic catecholamine-containing axons by their lack of vasoactive intestinal peptide. The roles and interactions of these two types of catecholamine innervation in the control of secretion and motility remain to be identified.

An immunohistochemical study of the innervation of the ureterovesical junction in infancy and childhood

OBJECTIVE

To use histological and immunohistochemical methods to study the structure and innervation of the human ureterovesical junction (UVJ).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A series of 24 post-natal specimens taken from patients ranging in age from 1 month to 6 years were examined. Routine histological slides were stained with Masson's trichrome. In addition, an indirect immunohistochemical method was used to study the occurrence and distribution of nerves immunoreactive for the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-B-hydroxylase (DBH) and to protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, a general nerve marker, were also studied.

RESULTS

The UVJ comprised a ureteric muscle component (the intramural ureter) and a detrusor component (the immediately adjacent region of the urinary bladder). In the majority of specimens a third or intermediate layer was also present. This additional component consisted of tightly-packed smooth muscle cells which formed an incomplete layer that partially surrounded the juxta-vesical and intramural parts of the ureter. Numerous PGP-, VIP-, NPY, DBH- and TH- like immunoreactive (-LIR) nerves were associated with the smooth muscle bundles which comprised the intramural ureter. Such nerves ran in the connective tissue separating ureteric smooth muscle bundles and rarely coursed amongst individual smooth muscle cell comprising each bundle. SP- and CGRP- containing nerves were rarely observed in association with the intramural ureter and none were detected in the ureteric submucosa. The intermediate muscle layer was richly innervated by PGP-, TH-, DBH- and NPY- containing nerves which ran amongst the smooth muscle cells comprising this layer. VIP-, SP- and CGRP-LIR nerves were not observed within the intermediate layer. The detrusor component of the UVJ was innervated by PGP-, NPY- and VIP-LIR nerves which frequently extended between the smooth muscle cells forming the detrusor muscle bundles. TH-, DBH-, SP- and CGRP-LIR nerve fibres were rarely encountered.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that noradrenergic nerves play a major role in the control of the ureteric component of the UVJ. In addition, the present results form baseline morphological data with which to compare the results of future studies on the structure of the UVJ in cases of vesicoureteric reflux.

Monoamine oxidase: distribution in the cat brain studied by enzyme- and immunohistochemistry: recent progress

Localization of MAO-containing neurons, fibers and glial cells has been described by recent progress in MAO histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. It does not necessarily correspond to those containing monoamines. MAO-A is demonstrated in many noradrenergic cells, but it is hardly detectable in DA cells. Increase of 5-HT and DA concentration after inhibition of MAO-A indicates the possible existence of MAO-A in such neuronal structures. MAO-A is also undetectable in neurons containing 5-HT, a good substrate for MAO-A. These neurons contain MAO-B. There still remain contradictions to be solved in future. MAO is present in astroglial cells, in which monoamines released in extracellular space may be degraded. In glial cells, MAO may also play a role to regulate concentration of telemethylhistamine and trace amines. Such cells appear to transform MPTP to MPP+, a neurotoxin for nigral DA neurons.

Histaminergic system in the cat hypothalamus with reference to type B monoamine oxidase

It is known that histamine (HA) and type B monoamine oxidase (MAO-B), an enzyme involved in its metabolism, are present in the posterior hypothalamus, but the sites where MAO-B intervenes in HA metabolism remain uncertain. The present study examined and compared the detailed distribution and morphology of neurons immunoreactive to HA (HA-ir) and MAO-B (MAO-B-ir) in the cat hypothalamus. HA-ir neurons were localized almost exclusively in the posterior hypothalamus with the largest group in the tuberomammillary nucleus and adjacent areas. MAO-B-ir staining was detected in the vast majority of HA-ir neurons, suggesting that the degradation of tele-methylhistamine (t-MHA), the direct metabolite of HA, may occur within these cells. Nevertheless, a few HA-ir cells showed no detectable or very weak MAO-B-ir labeling; a small group of neurons containing MAO-B alone was detected in the area dorsolateral to the caudal part of the arcuate nucleus. Numerous HA-ir axons and terminal-like structures were distributed unevenly in virtually all hypothalamic regions. One of their principal trajectories ascended through the ventrolateral part of the hypothalamus and rostrally formed an axon column, which ascended into the preoptic area and contributed fibers to the diagonal band of Broca and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Other HA-ir axons passed laterally, dorsal to the zona incerta or ventrally through a narrow zone dorsal to the optic tract. Numerous long HA-ir axons coursed dorsomedially from the ventrolateral posterior hypothalamus to the dorsal hypothalamic area. Many are oriented vertically to the thalamus in the midline. MAO-B-ir axons and fibers were detectable throughout the hypothalamus and overlapped the areas distributing HA-ir fibers. They were, however, weaker in staining intensity and apparently fewer than the HA-ir fibers. MAO-B-ir glial cells were numerous in all hypothalamic structures rich in HA-ir fibers. These results suggest that the metabolism of t-MHA may also occur within HA terminals and glial cells.

Development of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the human paraventricular and supraoptic nucleus

Tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-IR) neurons were found in the developing human paraventricular and supraoptic nucleus. In the preterm infants only few, small, incompletely differentiated TH-IR neurons were evident in a minority of the cases. In the full-term infants a considerable but strongly variable population of morphologically mature TH-IR perikarya was observed in these neuroendocrine nuclei in most subjects.

Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in cerebellar Purkinje cells of the rat

Employing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry, we have revealed that TH immunoreactivity occurs in cerebellar Purkinje cells in the rat. These TH-immunoreactive Purkinje cells were distributed predominantly in the crus I & II ansiform lobules and the paraflocculus, and to a lesser extent in the I & X vermal lobules. Since Purkinje cells in such cerebellar regions displayed no immunoreactivity to dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, the TH-immunoreactive Purkinje cells identified in the present study might contain dopamine or L-DOPA.

Presence and regional variation in peptide-containing nerves in the human ureter

The occurrence, distribution and regional variation of neurones immunoreactive for the neuropeptides, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), enkephalin (ENK), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and substance P (SP) were investigated in human ureters by indirect immunohistochemistry. In addition, immunoreactivities to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a marker of noradrenergic neurones and to protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, a general marker of neurones, were also studied. Neurones displaying PGP-, NPY-, VIP- and TH-like immunoreactivity (-LIR) provided a rich innervation to the smooth muscle and blood vessels of the ureter, where they formed dense muscular and perivascular nerve plexuses. In contrast, there was only a moderate to sparse innervation by SP and CGRP-LIR neurones, most of which were distributed to blood vessels and to the sub mucosal layer, and only rarely to smooth muscle bundles. No ENK-LIR was detected in this study. Nerve fibre bundle densities were estimated for each of the localized neurochemicals according to a method described. NPY-LIR nerve fibre bundles were found to account for 80% of the total nerve fibre bundles (i.e. PGP-LIR) in the ureter. On the other hand, TH-LIR and VIP-LIR nerve fibre bundles each accounted for 50% of the total ureteral innervation, whereas SP- and CGRP-LIR nerve fibre bundles each comprised 20% of the total innervation. The abundance and pattern of tissues innervated by these immunoreactive neurones is consistent with the view that some of these neuropeptide substances co-exist with other peptide substances and/or with other known neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline or acetylcholine. A gradient of innervation was found to exist for all the neurochemicals demonstrated in the ureter, whereby the lower ureter receives a greater density of innervation than the upper ureter. This finding suggests the human ureter is primarily innervated by fibres arising from or via the lower pelvis, i.e. the pelvic plexus. It also supports the view that the lower ureter may perform an important physiological role, such as coordinating the tone of this region during bladder filling and emptying.

Preparation and characterization of a specific antibody for the immunohistochemical detection of L-dopa in paraformaldehyde-fixed rodent brains

A rat polyclonal antiserum has been obtained after coupling of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) to larger proteins using a low concentration of glutaraldehyde. The antiserum was tested for its affinity and specificity using an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay (ELISA). From competition experiments, the most immunoreactive compound was found to be the non-reduced L-DOPA conjugate. Our specific L-DOPA antiserum enables us to visualize L-DOPA molecule on brain of guinea pigs and rats. We examined the immunohistochemical distribution of the polyclonal L-DOPA antiserum after the fixation of brains with a mixture of paraformaldehyde and picric acid. The presence of L-DOPA-immunoreactive (IR) neurons and fibers was described in the posterior, dorsal and periventricular hypothalamic areas and in the arcuate nucleus. Finally, the distribution of L-DOPA-IR cells was compared to that of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR cells, by means of a double staining procedure. The presence of two populations of TH-IR cells (TH-positive/L-DOPA-negative and TH-positive/L-DOPA-positive cells) was described in the dorsal part of the hypothalamus.

D2 dopamine receptor-mediated mechanisms in the medial preoptic-anterior hypothalamus regulate effective defense behavior in the cat

The role of the dopaminergic innervation of the medial preoptic-anterior hypothalamus (mPO-AH) in regulating the expression of affective defense behavior in the cat has been investigated in the present study. Feline affective defense behavior, characterized mainly by autonomic arousal, ear retraction, growling, hissing and paw striking, was elicited by electrical stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH). Following the establishment of a stable threshold current for eliciting the hissing response of the behavior, the effect of injecting various DAergic agonists and antagonists into the mPO-AH on the hissing threshold was determined. The microinjection of the non-selective DA agonist apomorphine (0.03, 0.16, 0.33, 0.66, 1.56 and 3.3 nmol) into the mPO-AH facilitated hissing in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This effect was mimicked by the D2-selective agonist LY 171555 (0.2 and 1.0 nmol) but not by the D1-selective agonist SKF 38393 (1.7 and 17 nmol), and was blocked by the non-selective and the D2-selective antagonists haloperidol (1.3 nmol) and sulpiride (14.5 nmol), respectively. The injection of the D1-selective antagonist SCH 23390 (0.3 nmol), however, did not inhibit apomorphine-induced facilitation of hissing. In addition, the injection of haloperidol (1.3 nmol) and sulpiride (14.5 nmol), but not SCH 23390 (0.3 nmol), alone inhibited the behavior. It was therefore concluded that dopaminergic stimulation of the mPO-AH may facilitate the expression of affective defense behavior in the cat via a D2 receptor-mediated mechanism. The physiological significance of this effect and the interaction between dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic innervation of the mPO-AH in modulating the expression of affective defense behavior in response to threatening stimuli are discussed.

A comparative analysis of neurons containing catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes and neuropeptide Y in the ventrolateral medulla of rats, guinea-pigs and cats

Neurons in the ventrolateral medulla oblongata of rats, guinea-pigs and cats that contain tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase and neuropeptide Y have been demonstrated immunohistochemically in serial coronal sections of tissue taken from the level of the cervical spinal cord to the level of the facial nucleus. The anatomical distribution of these neurons has been described, quantified and reconstructed in three dimensions to compare the neuron populations between species. In all species, between 50 and 90% of immunoreactive neurons lay rostral to the level of the obex. There were no significant differences in the number and distribution of neurons containing catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes between control animals and those pretreated with colchicine, with two exceptions: all dopamine-beta-hydroxylase neurons were weakly immunoreactive without colchicine pretreatment in cats, and pretreatment with colchicine revealed a small rostral group of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in guinea-pigs. There were remarkable similarities in the rostrocaudal distributions of neurons containing tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y in relation to comparable anatomical landmarks across the species. However, the distributions of neurons containing tyrosine hydroxylase. Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase-positive neurons, while densely stained in rats, were only faintly stained in cats and absent in guinea-pigs; the distribution of these neurons was similar to the distribution of neurons containing only tyrosine hydroxylase. The similarity of the distribution of neurons demonstrated using tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y immunohistochemistry implies that homologous catecholamine-containing neuron groups do exist in the ventrolateral medulla despite the variation in phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase between species. In contrast to the previous classification of neuron groups into A1 and C1 based on the presence or absence of this latter enzyme, the data suggest that a discrete group of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons, which probably do not contain dopamine-beta-hydroxylase or neuropeptide Y, can be distinguished in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of all species. The absence of detectable dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in this group of neurons suggests that they may not synthesize either adrenaline or noradrenaline.

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase-immunohistochemistry in the cat lower brainstem and midbrain

By indirect immunohistochemistry, the present study examined the distribution of neuronal structures in the cat medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain, showing immunoreactivity to aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), which catalyzes the conversion of L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) to dopamine, and 5-hydroxytryptophan to serotonin (5HT). With simultaneous and serial double immunostaining techniques, immunoreactivity to this enzyme was demonstrated in most of the catecholaminergic and serotonergic neurons. We could also demonstrate AADC-IR cell bodies that do not contain tyrosine hydroxylase (TH-) or 5HT-immunoreactivity (called "D-type cells") outside such monoaminergic cell systems. At the medullo-spinal junction, very small D-type cells were found within and beneath the ependymal layer of the 10th area of Rexed surrounding the central canal. D-type cells were localized in the caudal reticular formation, nucleus of the solitary tract, a dorsal aspect of the lateral parabrachial nucleus, and pretectal areas as have been reported in the rat. Furthermore, the present study describes, in the cat brainstem, new additional D-type cell groups that have not been reported in the rat. Dense or loose clusters of D-type cells were localized in the external edge of the laminar trigeminal nucleus, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, external cuneate nucleus, nucleus praepositus hypoglossi, central, pontine, and periaqueductal gray, superficial layer of the superior colliculus, and area medial to the retroflexus. D-type cells were loosely clustered in the lateral part of the central tegmental field dorsal to the substantia nigra, extending dorsally in the medial division of the posterior complex of the thalamus and medial side of the brachium of the inferior colliculus. They extended farther rostrodorsally along the medial side of the nucleus limitans and joined with the pretectal cell group. Almost all these cells were very small and ovoid to round with 1-2 short processes with the exception of dorsal motor vagal cells. AADC-IR axons were clearly identified in the vagal efferent nerves, longitudinal medullary pathway, dorsal tegmental bundle rostral to the locus coeruleus. Serotonergic axons were identified not only in the central tegmentum field and lateral side of the central superior nucleus, but also in the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata. We describe principal densely stained fiber plexuses in the cat brainstem. The findings of the present study provide a morphological basis for neurons that decarboxylate endogenous and exogenous L-DOPA, 5HTP, and other aromatic L-amino acids.

Catecholamines and catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes in guinea-pig sensory ganglia

Cranial and spinal sensory ganglia of the guinea-pig were investigated by means of histochemistry and biochemistry for the presence of catecholamines and catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes. Sensory neurons exhibiting immunoreactivity to the rate-limiting enzyme of catecholamine synthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), were detected by immunohistochemistry in lumbo-sacral dorsal root ganglia, the nodose ganglion and the petrosal/jugular ganglion complex. The carotid body was identified as a target of TH-like-immunoreactive (TH-LI) neurons by the use of combined retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry. Double-labelling immunofluorescence revealed that most TH-LI neurons also contained somatostatin-LI, but TH-LI did not coexist with either calcitonin gene-related peptide- or substance P-LI. TH-LI neurons did not react with antibodies to other enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis, i.e., aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H), and phenylethanolamine-N-methyl-transferase (PNMT). Petrosal neurons as well as their endings in the carotid body lacked dopamine- and L-DOPA-LI. Sensory neurons did not display glyoxylic acid-induced catecholamine fluorescence. Ganglia containing TH-LI neurons were kept in short-term organ culture after crushing their roots and the exiting nerve in order to enrich intra-axonal transmitter content at the ganglionic side of the crush. However, even under these conditions, catecholamine fluorescence was not detected in axons projecting peripherally or centrally from the ganglia. Sympathetic noradrenergic nerves entered the ganglia and terminated within them. Accordingly, biochemical analyses of guinea-pig sensory ganglia revealed noradrenaline but no dopamine. In conclusion, catecholamines within guinea-pig sensory ganglia are confined to sympathetic nerves, which fulfill presently unknown functions. The TH-LI neurons themselves, however, lack any additional sign of catecholamine synthesis, and the presence of enzymatically active TH within these neurons is questionable.

Dopamine- and dopa-immunoreactive neurons in the cat forebrain with reference to tyrosine hydroxylase-immunohistochemistry

The distribution of cell bodies containing immunoreactivities to dopamine (DA), L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was studied immunohistochemically in the cat forebrain especially in the hypothalamus with or without intraventricular administration of colchicine. In normal cats, DA-immunoreactive (IR) neurons, whose intensity of immunostainings was variable from one to another, were localized exclusively in the hypothalamus and showed a distribution pattern similar to that of TH-IR ones. They were distributed in the posterior, dorsal and periventricular hypothalamic areas. Arcuate cells showed no or very weak DA-immunoreactivity. Weak to intense DOPA-IR cells were distributed in a similar manner to DA-IR ones but were far smaller in number. In colchicine-treated animals, DA- and DOPA-immunoreactivities were enhanced particularly in arcuate and dorsal hypothalamic cells. A cluster composed of small DA- and DOPA-IR cells was identified in the area ventral to the mamillothalamic tract equivalent to rat A13c TH-IR cell group. Colchicine treatment enabled us to visualize a large number of TH-IR perikarya in the medial and lateral preoptic areas, anterior commissure nucleus, basal forebrain, area closely related to the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, and some in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis as has been reported in other species. However, virtually none of these cells contained detectable DA- and DOPA-immunoreactivities.

Tyrosine hydroxylase containing neurons lacking aromatic amino acid decarboxylase in the hamster brain

We have recently described populations of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the hamster brain in regions not known to contain catecholamine cell bodies. In the present study, the nature of the tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the hamster brain was determined. In addition, these tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive cell groups were examined for their ability to express aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. Immunohistochemistry with two different antibodies to tyrosine hydroxylase identified immunoreactive cell bodies in regions known to contain catecholamine neurons, including the substantia nigra and locus ceruleus. In addition, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons were observed in other regions, including the basal forebrain, inferior colliculus, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Western blotting indicated that hamster brain contained only one immunoreactive molecule, very similar in size to rat tyrosine hydroxylase. Thus it is likely that the immunohistochemical studies stained authentic hamster tyrosine hydroxylase. Indeed, in situ hybridization studies using a synthetic oligonucleotide probe against tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA resulted in specific and heavy labelling of these novel tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons. When adjacent sections were stained with antibodies to aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, known catecholamine cell groups were stained. However, the novel tyrosine hydroxylase cell groups did not display any aromatic amino acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity. These results suggest that neurons are present in the hamster brain that are able to hydroxylate tyrosine to L-DOPA, but that lack the ability to decarboxylate aromatic amino acids to produce dopamine or other catecholamines.

Localization of chemical messengers in magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei: an immunohistochemical study using experimental manipulations

Indirect immunofluorescence histochemistry was used to investigate the distribution and extent of co-localization of chemical messengers in magnocellular neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. In order to increase the number of neurons immunoreactive to the antisera used, experimental manipulations were employed. The homozygous Brattleboro (diabetes insipidus) rat was also investigated. In untreated rats, only vasopressin- and oxytocin-like immunoreactivities could be observed. Colchicine treatment alone resulted in appearance of galanin-, dynorphin-, cholecystokinin-, [Leu]enkephalin- and thyrotropin-releasing hormone-positive cells. In hypophysectomized rats, all these markers, except tyrosine hydroxylase, showed substantial further increases. In addition, peptide histidine-isoleucine-immunoreactive cell bodies could now be seen. After salt-loading alone, tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity was markedly increased, whereas vasopressin- and oxytocin-like immunoreactivity were very weak or undetectable. When salt-loaded rats received colchicine, corticotropin-releasing factor- and peptide histidine-isoleucine-like immunoreactivity in addition increased, whereas galanin- and dynorphin-like immunoreactivity markedly decreased. The Brattleboro rats resembled untreated rats, except their lack of vasopressin-like immunoreactivity, the marked increase in tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity, and smaller increase in galanin- and dynorphin-like immunoreactivity. Addition of colchicine to Brattleboro rats resulted in some distinct further changes in that dynorphin-like immunoreactivity decreased in some neurons and that [Leu]enkephalin-, corticotropin-releasing factor- and peptide histidine-isoleucine-like immunoreactivity increased substantially. Several similarities could be observed between the salt-loaded and Brattleboro rats, with or without colchicine. However, a marked difference in immunoreactive [Leu]enkephalin levels was observed with no difference in dynorphin-like immunoreactivity, and opposite changes in galanin-like immunoreactivity. The results confirm the traditional view that hypothalamic magnocellular neurons in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei contain two separate cell populations, characterized by vasopressin and oxytocin, respectively, and that they contain additional messenger molecules in specific patterns. Vasopressin-containing neurons primarily express tyrosine hydroxylase, galanin, dynorphin, [Leu]enkephalin and peptide histidine-isoleucine, and to a minor extent cholecystokinin and thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Oxytocin-containing neurons mainly have cholecystokinin and corticotropin-releasing factor, and to a minor extent galanin, dynorphin, [Leu]enkephalin and thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Furthermore, our results detail individual co-existence situations among these putative messenger molecules. Thus, magnocellular neurons respond in a differential way to various stimuli and they store multiple bioactive substances in specific combinations.

Catecholamine-containing neurons in the sheep brainstem and diencephalon: immunohistochemical study with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) antibodies

The present study describes the distribution and morphological characteristics of neurons and nerve fibers containing the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, in the sheep brainstem and diencephalon on the basis of immunohistochemical procedures. Neurons and fibers were considered to be dopaminergic if they showed anti-tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity, without corresponding anti-dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunoreactivity. The structures labeled with both antisera were considered noradrenergic or adrenergic. The distribution of catecholaminergic neurons corresponds to that described by other authors with similar methods in the rat and in primates. The noradrenergic neurons belong to cell groups A1 to A7 and the dopaminergic neurons to cell groups A8 to A15. In almost all studied areas, the catecholaminergic innervation is similar to that observed in the other species. However, the central catecholaminergic systems of the sheep showed some specific characteristics: (1) groups A3 and A4, described in the rat, were not found, (2) group A14 contains fewer neurons than in the rat, (3) group A15 does not contain a dorsal but only a ventral portion, (4) there is a larger dispersion of neurons within each group, especially A6 and A7, than in rodents, and (5) there is a larger noradrenergic innervation of the catecholaminergic groups than in the other species.

Immunohistochemical characterization of pelvic neurons which project to the bladder, colon, or penis in rats

Retrograde-tracing and immunohistochemical techniques were used in combination to investigate the types of putative transmitters in pelvic neurons that project to the bladder, colon or penis of rats. In addition, populations of axon varicosities associated with these neurons were characterized. Subpopulations of neurons in colchicine-treated major pelvic ganglia and accessory ganglia of male rats contained immunoreactivity (IR) for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), or enkephalin (ENK), while types of immunoreactivity found in major groups of varicose axons were ENK, cholecystokinin (CCK), and somatostatin (SOM). Substance P (SP)-IR varicose axons were much less common. Bladder and colon neurons were similar in a number of ways. Many neurons contained NPY-IR (greater than or equal to 50%), fewer contained TH-IR (25-30%), and even fewer contained ENK-IR (5-15%) or VIP-IR (5-10%); many neurons were associated with baskets of ENK-IR varicosities (50-65%) and fewer neurons were surrounded by CCK- or SOM-IR varicosities (30-35%). Colon neurons differed from penis neurons in having a slightly larger proportion that contained ENK-IR (10-15%, compared with 1-3%). Penis neurons were markedly different from the other two groups in additional ways. More than 90% of them contained VIP-IR, whereas only 5-7% contained NPY-IR and none were immunoreactive for TH. Furthermore, although the proportion of penile neurons associated with many ENK-IR varicosities was similar to the bladder and colon neurons (45-50%), they were rarely seen close to CCK- or SOM-IR varicose axons. These studies describe similarities and differences in the histochemical properties of neurons which project to the bladder, colon, or penis and of the varicose axons associated with those neurons. This gives further insights into the possible transmitter mechanisms involved in the regulation of different pelvic functions.

Type B monoamine-oxidase-containing cells and fibers in the cat hypothalamus demonstrated by an improved enzyme histochemical method

The present study, using a diaminobenzidine (DAB)-coupled peroxidation method, examined the distribution and morphological characteristics of neuronal structures containing type B monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) in the cat hypothalamus. Large and intensely stained, distinctive MAO-B-positive cells, multipolar and with long dendritic arbors, were principally distributed in the ventral hypothalamus extending from A7 to A12.5 of the Horsley-Clarke plane. These cells were located caudally in the ventral surface of the brain including the tuberomamillary nucleus (TM) and the region surrounding the mamillary nuclei. Rostrally, they were aggregated in the area surrounding the fornix, particularly in the lateral perifornical region, and dispersed in the anterior mamillary nucleus, lateral hypothalamic area (HLA), and the medial tip of the entopeduncular nucleus. The most rostral positive cell group was identified in a narrow space between the optic tract and the entopeduncular nucleus at the A12.5 level. In addition to these large cells, the present study disclosed the presence of "small" to "very small" MAO-B-positive cells in the area surrounding the mamillary recess and the lateral part of the caudal arcuate nucleus. Distinct MAO-B-stained fibers were identified in all regions of the hypothalamus. A large number of thick labeled fibers were observed in the ventral hypothalamus including the TM and premamillary nucleus and posterior and lateral hypothalamic areas. A dense network of MAO-B-positive terminal-like fibers was observed in the dorsomedial nucleus where very small labeled cells were scattered. Many intensely stained thick and straight fibers were seen running ventrolaterally in the anterior part of the HLA and in the narrow space between the entopeduncular nucleus and optic tract. In the area of the tuber cinereum and the ventral part of the HLA, there were many positive fibers cut transversely, possibly projecting to the more anterior parts of the brain such as the diagonal band of Broca or septal nuclei.

Extrathalamic ascending projections to physiologically identified fields of the cat auditory cortex

The neurons of origin of ascending extrathalamic projections to the auditory cortex were labeled retrogradely with WGA-HRP injected in physiologically identified auditory cortical fields of the cat (anterior (AAF), primary (AI), posterior (PAF) and secondary (AII) fields). After injection in the tonotopically organized auditory cortical fields (AAF, AI and PAF), labeled neurons were distributed in 7 extrathalamic subcortical regions included in one or the other of 2 distinct systems of ascending projections to the neocortex. In the 'diffuse' system of projection, labeled neurons were observed bilaterally in the locus coeruleus, the nuclei of the raphe, the lateral hypothalamus, ipsilaterally in the ventromedial mesencephalic tegmentum and the basal forebrain; in the 'accessory sensory' system of projection, labeled neurons were found ipsilaterally in the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus and bilaterally in the claustrum. After injection in AII, labeled neurons were seen only in the 'diffuse' system of projection. For AAF and AI, the major contribution to the total extrathalamic ascending input originated from the lateral hypothalamus, whereas for AII it was the locus coeruleus. In contrast, PAF received extrathalamic ascending inputs mainly from the claustrum. Anterogradely labeled corticofugal terminal fields were found only in the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus and, after injection in PAF, in the claustrum.

A new group of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the cat thalamus

A new cell group composed of a large number of neurons immunoreactive to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was demonstrated in the paraventricular nucleus and midline nuclei of the cat thalamus, using four different anti-TH sera after colchicine treatment. However, in these regions, we did not detect any cell bodies containing other catecholamine synthesizing enzymes nor dopamine.

5-Hydroxytryptophan uptake and decarboxylating neurons in the cat hypothalamus

Parachlorophenylalanine, an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, induced a virtually total disappearance of serotonin-immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus of the cat. After intrahypothalamic injection of 5-hydroxytryptophan, an immediate precursor of serotonin in cats pretreated with parachlorophenylalanine, serotonin-immunoreactivity was detected in many fibers surrounding the injection site. Furthermore, when 5-hydroxytryptophan was injected with inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, a large number of small neurons immunoreactive to serotonin was identified in many discrete regions: the anterior and lateral hypothalamic areas, preoptic area, suprachiasmatic nucleus, dorsal hypothalamic area, dorsomedial nucleus, posterior hypothalamic area and nucleus of the fields of Forel. Serotonin-immunoreactivity was also evident in the thick axon bundles in the lateral hypothalamus. The distribution pattern of these cells was quite similar to that of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, which catalyses the conversion of 5-hydroxytryptophan to serotonin and that of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine to dopamine. However, we failed to demonstrate serotonin-immunoreactivity in these parvocellular neurons without monoamine oxidase inhibitor. It is possible that 5-hydroxytryptophan is decarboxylated to serotonin by aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase but rapidly degraded by monoamine oxidase-A, the enzyme which preferentially deaminates serotonin. In contrast, serotonin-immunostaining was always demonstrable after intrahypothalamic injection of 5-hydroxytryptophan without monoamine oxidase inhibitor in magnocellular neurons located in the ventrolateral posterior hypothalamus and which contain exclusively monoamine oxidase-B and histidine decarboxylase. It appears that in these cells and axons, serotonin, possibly formed by histidine decarboxylase, is not rapidly oxidized by monoamine oxidase-B. Possible roles of serotonin as a neurohormone in sleep-waking regulation and of trace amines in the brain are discussed.

Endogenous L-dopa, its immunoreactivity in neurons of midbrain and its projection fields in the cat

L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) immunoreactivity was demonstrated in neurons of the cat ventral midbrain and its projection areas, using an immunohistochemical method in conjunction with a newly developed highly specific anti-L-DOPA serum. L-DOPA-immunoreactive (IR) neurons were found in the substantia nigra, retrorubral area and ventral tegmental area of Tsai. L-DOPA-labeled fibers and terminals were hardly detectable in the nigrostriatal pathway and in the caudate nucleus which showed very intense dopamine-immunoreactivity. In contrast, many short labeled processes were detectable in the central amygdala and, although very few in number, in the entorhinal cortex.

Comparative topography of dopamine- and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the rat arcuate nucleus

The distribution of dopamine (DA)-immunoreactive (IR) cells is described in the rat arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and its adjacent areas and compared with that of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR cells. Small DA-IR cells were seen to be aggregated mainly in the dorsomedial part of the nucleus, but were hardly detectable in its ventrolateral portion and neighbouring periarcuate region which showed many larger TH-IR cells. This study reveals, for the first time, the differences in the respective topography of those neurons which actually contain detectable DA and those which contain TH, the initial synthesizing enzyme of catecholamine.

Distribution pattern of cell bodies and fibers with neurotensin-like immunoreactivity in the cat hypothalamus

Neurotensin is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Extensive radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemical studies in rats show that the neurotensin immunoreactive perikarya and fibers are most prominent in the hypothalamus. Radioimmunoassay studies have suggested that the levels of neurotensin in the hypothalamus of cats may be six times higher than that of rats. We studied the distribution pattern of neurotensin immunoreactivity within the hypothalamus of the cat by avidin-biotin modification immunohistochemical methods: (1) to define its distribution pattern within the hypothalamus, and (2) to compare our findings with the patterns that have been described in rats. Results show that neurotensin immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers are most prominent in the rostral and intermediate regions of the cat hypothalamus. Cell bodies with neurotensin-like immunoreactivity are seen maximally in the medial preoptic region, the infundibular nucleus, and the lateral hypothalamus. The neurotensin positive fibers are dense in the periventricular regions of the entire rostro-caudal extent of the hypothalamus. This pattern of distribution of neurotensin immunoreactivity is similar to that described in rats. The suprachiasmatic nuclei of the cat hypothalamus, however, contained a significant number of neurotensin immunoreactive cell bodies, an observation not noted in the rat hypothalamus. The neurotensin immunoreactive neurons were more numerous in the lateral hypothalamus than has been reported in rats, but the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in cats contained fewer neurotensin immunoreactive perikarya. The presence of neurotensin immunoreactive perikarya in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the apparent increase in the number of neurotensin immunoreactive neurons in the lateral hypothalamus may account for the increased levels of neurotensin reported in cats. Neurotensin has been speculated to play a role in nociception, thermoregulation, and control of arterial pressure by acting as a hormone or a neurotransmitter. Details of the pattern of colocalization of neurotensin with that of other neuropeptides and neurotransmitters will aid in our understanding of its role in these functions.

Immunohistochemistry of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase in the cat forebrain

The topographic distribution of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC)-immunoreactive (IR) neurons was investigated in the cat hypothalamus, limbic areas, and thalamus by using specific antiserum raised against porcine kidney AADC. The perikarya and main axons were mapped on an atlas in ten cross-sectional drawings from A8 to A16 of the Horsley Clarke stereotaxic plane. AADC-IR neurons were widely distributed in the anterior brain. They were identified in the posterior hypothalamic area, rostral arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, dorsal hypothalamic area, and periventricular complex of the hypothalamus, which contain tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR cells and are known as A11 to A14 dopaminergic cell groups. AADC-IR perikarya were also found in the other hypothalamic areas where few or no TH-IR cells have been reported: the supramamillary nucleus, tuberomamillary nucleus, pre- and anterior mamillary nuclei, caudal arcuate nucleus, dorsal hypothalamic area immediately ventral to the mamillothalamic tract, anterior hypothalamic area, area of the tuber cinereum, retrochiasmatic area, preoptic area, suprachiasmatic and dorsal chiasmatic nuclei. We also identified them in the anterior commissure nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, stria terminalis, medial and central amygdaloid nuclei, lateral septal nucleus, and nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca. AADC-IR neurons were localized in the ventromedial part of the thalamus, lateral posterior complex, paracentral nucleus and lateral dorsal nucleus of the thalamus, medial habenula, parafascicular nucleus, subparafascicular nucleus, and periaqueductal gray. Conversely, we detected only a few AADC-IR cells in the supraoptic nucleus whose rostral portion contains TH-IR perikarya. Comments are made on the relative localizations of the AADC-IR and TH-IR neurons, on species differences between the cat and rat, as well as on the possible physiological functions of the enzyme AADC.