A quantitative study of the purkinje cells in the cerebellum and the inferior olivary neurons in the chicken

Morphometric analysis of the neuronal numbers and densities of the inferior olivary complex in the donkey (Equus asinus)

The morphometric interrelations between the compartments of the inferior olivary complex (IOC) in the donkey (Equus asinus) were ascertained by examining serial sections throughout the entire length of the IOC for both sides. Nissl-stained celloidin sections of four brainstems of donkeys were used. The IOC consisted of three major nuclei and four small cell groups. The total neuronal count in both sides of the IOC was 202,040±8480 cells. The medial accessory olivary nucleus (MAO) had the largest relative area (46%) and the highest number of neurons (90,800±7600). The dorsal accessory olivary nucleus (DAO) had the second largest relative area (33%), while the principal olivary nucleus (PO) had the lowest relative area (21%). However, the total neuron count in the PO was larger (60,840±1840) than DAO (50,360±4040). The average neuronal density was 2700±400 cells/mm(3). The numerical values of the current study of the IOC in the donkey were similar to those of other mammals.

Qualitative and quantitative studies of the inferior olivary complex in the water buffalo (Buballus bubalis)

The shape and neuronal number of the inferior olivary complex (IOC) were determined in the water buffalo (Buballus bubalis). The configuration and interrelations of the IOC compartments were ascertained by investigating serial sections through the whole rostro-caudal extent of the IOC. Nissl-stained celloidin sections of six water buffalo's brainstems were used. The IOC in the water buffalo consisted of three major nuclei and four small cell groups. The medial accessory olivary nucleus (MAO) had the longest rostro-caudal extent as well as the highest number of neurons (98,000 +/- 3,000). Although the total area of the principal olivary nucleus (PO) was smaller than the area of the dorsal accessory olivary nucleus (DAO), the PO had the second largest neuronal number. The total number of neurons on both sides of the IOC was 210,000 +/- 7,000 cells. The average neuronal density was 3,000 cells/mm3. Although the size of the PO relatively increases while the size of MAO decreases with the development of the cerebellar hemispheres, the IOC in most mammals maintains a similar structure except for the higher primates and marsupials. The water buffalo IOC showed morphological similarities to the almost all mammalian IOC including rats as follow; the main part of the MAO consists of three subgroups (a, b and c), the DAO is Boomerang-shaped while the PO is a simple U-shaped structure.