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Catecholamine-containing axon terminals in the hypoglossal nucleus of the rat: an immuno-electronmicroscopic study

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Summary

A correlative light and electron microscopic investigation was undertaken to determine the morphology and distribution of catecholamine (CA)-containing axon terminals in the hypoglossal nucleus (XII) of the rat. This was accomplished immunocytochemically with antibody to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The major findings in this study were the following: 1) Immunoreactive profiles were found throughout XII and included unmyelinated axons, varicosities, axon terminals and dendrites; 2) Nonsynaptic immunoreactive profiles (preterminal axons, varicosities) were more frequently observed (55.2%) than synaptic profiles (43.5%); 3) CA-containing axon terminals ending on dendrites were more numerous (71.8%) than those synapsing on somata (25.4%) or nonlabeled axon terminals (2.7%); 4) The morphology of labeled axon terminals was variable. Axodendritic terminals typically contained numerous small, round agranular vesicles, a few large dense-core vesicles and were associated with either a symmetric or no synaptic specialization, axosomatic terminals were often associated with a presynaptic membrane thickening or a symmetric synaptic specialization and contained small, round and a few elliptical-shaped vesicles, while axoaxonic synapses formed asymmetric postsynaptic specializations; and 5) CA-positive dendritic processes were identified in XII. These findings confirm the CA innervation of XII, and suggest a complex, multifunctional role for CA in controlling oro-lingual motor behavior.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, University of South Alabama, College of Medicine, 36688, Mobile, AL, USA

    L. D. Aldes, B. Shaw & R. B. Chronister

  2. Department of Neurology, University of South Alabama, College of Medicine, 36688, Mobile, AL, USA

    R. B. Chronister

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University, College of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    J. W. Haycock

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  1. L. D. Aldes
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  2. B. Shaw
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  3. R. B. Chronister
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  4. J. W. Haycock
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Aldes, L.D., Shaw, B., Chronister, R.B. et al. Catecholamine-containing axon terminals in the hypoglossal nucleus of the rat: an immuno-electronmicroscopic study. Exp Brain Res 81, 167–178 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230113

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230113

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