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Neurotransmitters, receptors, and neuropeptides in the accessory optic system: An immunohistochemical survey in the pigeon (Columba livia)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

Luiz R. G. Britto ,
Dania E. Hamassaki ,
Kent T. Keyser  and
Harvey J. Karten
Luiz R. G. Britto
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute for Biomedical Sciences Sāo PauloState University (USP), Sāo, Paulo, Brazil
Dania E. Hamassaki
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute for Biomedical Sciences Sāo PauloState University (USP), Sāo, Paulo, Brazil
Kent T. Keyser
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla
Harvey J. Karten
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla
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Abstract

Immunohistochemical techiniques were used to survey the distribution of several conventional transmitters, receptors, and neuropeptides in the pigeon nucleus of the basal optic root (nBOR), a component of the accessory optic ststem. Amongst the conventional neurotransmitts'modulators, the most intense labeling of fibers/terminals within the nBOR was obtained with antisera directed against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and serotonin (5-HT). Moderately dense fiber plexuses were seen to label with antibodies directed against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and choline acetltransferase (ChAT). GAD-like immunoractivity (GAD-L1) was found in many small and medium-size perikarya within the nBOR. Some of the medium-sized cells were occasionally positive for ChAT-L1. Cell body and dendritic staining was also commonly seen with the two tested antisera against receptors–anti-GABA-A receptor and anti-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

The antisera directed against various neuropetides produced only fiber labelling within the nBOR. The densest fiber plexus staining was observed with antiserum against neuropeptide Y (NPY-L1), while intermediate fiber densities were seen for substance P (SP-L1) and cholecystokinin (CCK-L1). A few varicose fibers were labeled with antisera against neurotensin (NT), leucine-enkephalin (L-KNK), and the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP).

Unilateral enucleation produced an almost complete elimination of TH-L1 in the contralateral nBOR. SP-L1 and CCK-L1 were also decreased after enucleation. No apparent changes were seen for all other substances.

These results indicate that a wide variety of chemically-specific systems arborize within the nBOR. Three of the immunohistochemically defined fiber systems (TH-LI, SP-LI, and CCK-LI fibers) were reduced after removal of the retina, which may indicate the presence of these substances in retinal ganglion cells. In contrast, the fibers exhibiting ChAT-LI, GAD-LI, 5-HT-Ll, NPY-Ll, NT-LI, L-ENK-LI, and VIP-LI appear to be of nonretinal origin. Two different populations of nBOR neurons exhibited GAD-LI and ChAT-LI. However, these two populations together constituted only about 20% of the nBOR neurons.

Keywords

Accessory optic systemImmunohistochemistryNeuropeptidesNeurotransmittersVisual system
Type
Research Articles
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 3 , Issue 5 , November 1989 , pp. 463 - 475
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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