Summary
The ultrastructure of the cat's substantia nigra was investigated from 2–21 days following large lesions of the caudate nucleus and the putamen. From 4 days on a large number of degenerating boutons and degenerating unmyelinated fibers are seen in the substantia nigra, in the pars compacta as well as the pars reticulata. Both parts, mainly the latter, receive striatal afferents. The degeneration in the substantia nigra following striatal lesions is of the dark type. Most of the degenerating boutons apparently are of the type I (see Rinvik and Grofová, 1970) and end on all parts of the nigral cell surface, including the dendritic spines. One instance of a degenerating presynaptic bouton in an axo-axonic synapse has been found. Some degenerating boutons also probably belong to the type II bouton, while degenerating boutons of type III were never seen following the striatal lesions. The electron microscopic identification of early axonal degeneration in the central nervous system, is discussed with reference to the paper of Cohen and Pappas (1969). Problems concerning the pars compacta versus the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra are taken up. The possible sources of origin of the different types of boutons in the cat's substantia nigra, is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adinolfi, A.M., Pappas, G.D.: The fine structure of the caudate nucleus of the cat. J. comp. Neurol.133, 167–184 (1968).
Alksne, J.F., Blackstad, Th.W., Walberg, F., White, jr., L.E.: Electron microscopy of axon degeneration: A valuable tool in experimental neuroanatomy. Ergebn. Anat.39, 32 pp. (1966).
Cajal, S.R.: Histologie du système nerveux de l'homme et des vertébrés. T. II. Paris: Maloine 1911.
Carpenter, M.B., Strominger, N.L.: Efferent fibers of the subthalamic nucleus in the monkey. A comparison of the efferent projections of the subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra and globus pallidus. Amer. J. Anat.121, 41–72 (1967).
Cohen, E.B., Pappas, G.D.: Dark profiles in the apparently-normal central nervous system: A problem in the electron microscropic identification of early anterograde axonal degeneration. J. comp. Neurol.136, 375–396 (1969).
Colonnier, M.: Experimental degeneration in the cerebral cortex. J. Anat. (Lond.)98, 47–63 (1964).
—: Synaptic patterns on different cell types in the different laminae of the cat visual cortex. An electron microscope study. Brain Res.9, 268–287 (1968).
—, Gray, E.G.: Degeneration in the cerebral cortex. Fifth International Congress for Electron Microscopy, U-3. In: Electron Microscopy. sEd. by S.S. Breese, Jr. New York: Academic Press 1962.
Cowan, W.M., Powell, T.P.S.: Strio-pallidal projection in the monkey. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat.29, 426–439 (1966).
Crevel, H. van, Verhaart, W.J.C.: The rate of secondary degeneration in the central nervous system. I. The pyramidal tract in cat. J. Anat. (Lond.)97, 429–449 (1963a).
— —: The rate of secondary degeneration in the central nervous system. II. The optic nerve of the cat. J. Anat. (Lond.)97, 451–464 (1963b).
Foix, Chr., Nicolesco, J.: Anatomie cérébrale. Les noyaux gris centraux et la région mésencephalo-sous-optique, suivie d'un appendice sur l'anatomie pathologique de la maladie de Parkinson, vol. 1, 582 pp. Paris: Masson 1925.
Gehuchten, A. van, Molhant, M.: Les loies de la dégénérescence wallérienne directe. Névraxe11, 73–130 (1910).
Gray, E.G.: The fine structure of normal and degenerating synapses of the central nervous system. Arch. Biol. (Liège)75, 285–299 (1964).
—, Guillery, R.W.: Synaptic morphology in the normal and degenerating nervous system. Int. Rev. Cytol.19, 111–182 (1966).
—, Hamlyn, L.H.: Electron microscopy of experimental degeneration in the avian optic tectum. J. Anat. (Lond.)96, 309–316 (1962).
Holländer, H., Line Vaaland, J.: A reliable staining method for semi-thin sections in experimental neuroanatomy. Brain Res.10, 120–126 (1968).
Johnson, Th. N.: Fiber connections between the dorsal thalamus and corpus striatum in the cat. Exp. Neurol.3, 556–569 (1961).
Jones, E.G., Powell, T.P.S.: An electron microscopic study of terminal degeneration in the neocortex of the cat. Phil. Trans. B257, 29–43 (1970).
Kemp, J.M.: Observations on the caudate nucleus of the cat impregnated with the Golgi method. Brain Res.11, 467–470 (1968).
—: The termination of strio-pallidal and strio-nigral fibres. Brain Res.17, 125–128 (1970).
Knook, H.L.: The fibre-connections of the forebrain, 477 pp. Assen: Thesis, van Gorcum & Co. N.V. 1965.
Mugnaini, E., Walberg, F.: Ultrastructure of neuroglia. Ergebn. Anat.37, 194–236 (1964).
— —: An experimental electron microscopical study on the mode of termination of cerebellar corticovestibular fibres in the cat's lateral vestibular nucleus (Deiters' nucleus). Exp. Brain Res.4, 212–236 (1967).
— —, Brodal, A.: Mode of termination of primary vestibular fibres in the lateral vestibular nucleus. An experimental electron microscopical study in the cat. Exp. Brain Res.4, 187–211 (1967).
Nauta, W.J.H., Mehler, W.R.: Some efferent connections of the lentiform nucleus in monkey and cat. Anat. Rec.139, 260 (1961).
— —: Projections of the lentiform nucleus in the monkey. Brain Res.1, 3–42 (1966).
Pinching, A.J.: Persistence of post-synaptic membrane thickenings after degeneration of olfactory nerves. Brain Res.16, 277–281 (1969).
Ralston, H.J.: The organization of the substantia gelatinosa Rolandi in the cat lumbosacral spinal cord. Z. Zellforsch.67, 1–23 (1965).
Rinvik, E.: The cortico-thalamic projection from the pericruciate and coronal gyri in the cat. An experimental study with silver impregnation methods. Brain Res.10, 79–119 (1968).
Rinvik, E., Grofová, I.: Observations on the fine structure of the substantia nigra in the cat. Exp. Brain Res.11, 229–248 (1970).
—, Walberg, F.: Is there a cortico-nigral tract ? A comment based on experimental electron microscopic observations in the cat. Brain Res.14, 742–744 (1969).
Smith, C.A., Rasmussen, G.L.: Degeneration in the efferent nerve endings in the cochlea after axonal section. J. Cell Biol.26, 63–77 (1965).
Sotelo, C.: Permanence of post-synaptic specializations in the frog sympathetic ganglion cells after denervation. Exp. Brain Bes.6, 294–305 (1968).
Szabo, J.: Topical distribution of the striatal efferents in the monkey. Exp. Neurol.5, 21–36 (1962).
—: The efferent projections of the putamen in the monkey. Exp. Neurol.19, 463–476 (1967).
—: Projections from the tail of the caudate nucleus. Anat. Rec.163, (2), 272 (1969).
Taxi, J.: Contribution à l'étude des connexions des neurones moteurs du système nerveux autonome. Ann. Sci. nat. Zool. (Paris)7, 413–674 (1965).
Voneida, Th. J.: An experimental study of the course and destination of fibers arising in the head of the caudate nucleus in the cat and monkey. J. comp. Neurol.115, 75–87 (1960).
Walberg, F.: The early changes in degenerating boutons and the problem of argyrophilia. Light and electron microscopical observations. J. comp. Neurol.122, 113–137 (1964).
—: An electron microscopic study of terminal degeneration in the inferior olive of the cat. J. comp. Neurol.125, 205–222 (1965).
—: The fine structure of the cuneate nucleus in normal cats and following interruption of afferent fibres. An electron microscopical study with particular reference to findings made in Glees and Nauta sections. Exp. Brain Res.2, 107–128 (1966).
Westrum, L.E.: A combination staining technique for electron microscopy. I. Nervous tissue. J. Microscopie4, 275–278 (1965).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
On leave of absence from the Anatomical Institute of the Medical Faculty, Charles' University in Prague, with an IBRO grant nr. E. 29.99-1.
A preliminary report of some of the observations was presented at the XIIth Congress for Morphologists in Prague, October '69.
We gratefully acknowledge the valuable technical assistance of Mrs. J. L. Vaaland and the skilful help by Mrs. B.E. Branil in the preparation of the microphotographs.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Grofová, I., Rinvik, E. An experimental electron microscopic study on the striatonigral projection in the cat. Exp Brain Res 11, 249–262 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01474385
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01474385