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Notes: Summary Interneurones which mediate disynaptic inhibition from la muscle spindle afferents of the quadriceps nerve to lumbar alpha-motoneurones were stained with intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase. Seven best stained and most satisfactorily preserved cells were selected for analysis, and the light microscopic morphology of their cell bodies and dendrites were quantitatively investigated in parasagittal sections. The perikarya were located dorsal or dorso-medial to the motoneurones; they had mean diameters of 51 × 27 μm and a mean volume of 35820 μm3. The cells had 3 to 7 dendrites, which were arranged asymmetrically around the parent somata. The dendrites extended mainly in the dorso-ventral direction, in which the mean tip to tip distance for each cell was 1742 μm. The dendrites had few spines and they branched almost only in bifurcations. On the average, each process divided 3.5 times and in each cell they gave rise to 14.9 branching points as well as a total combined length of more than 7000 μm. Primary dendrites had a mean length of 193 μm which was generally shorter than the lengths of the branches of higher order. A more detailed analysis of two cells revealed the mean width of primary dendrites to be 5.6 μm while that of the 5th order processes was 1.5 μm. The mean tapering of individual dendritic branches per unit length was 17%, being somewhat more pronounced for the distally located segments, while at branching points the sum of daughter processes approximately equalled the diameter of the parent process. The surface area and volume of the dendrites constituted 90% and 83% of the total surface area and 46% and 37% of the total volume of the two cells, respectively, excluding the axons. The Ia interneurones differed considerably among themselves with respect to the quantitively investigated parameters. They resembled the inhibitory Renshaw cells of the cat with regard to the number of dendrites, the poverty of spines, and the relationships between cell body diameter and width of primary dendrites.

Notes: Summary The dorsal hippocampus of cat was investigated by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry following 1 h global cerebral ischemia and various recirculation times from 1 day to 1 year. Complete ischemia was produced by combining hypotension with intrathoracic occlusion of major arteries. Postischemic resuscitation was carried out using an intensive care regimen with continuous neurophysiological monitoring. Brains of controls (n=4) and postischemic animals (n=12) were fixed in formaldehyde and prepared for histology and immunohistochemistry of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In all post-ischemic animals the hilus and the regio superior of dorsal hippocampus which encompasses the CA1 subfield were severely damaged. Neurons in these regions exhibited the typical sequela of neuronal death. GFAP staining revealed vivid astroglial proliferation in stratum lacunosum-moleculare and stratum oriens. Changes in the regio inferior of dorsal hippocampus, i.e., CA3 subfield, and in dentate gyrus granular layer, were variable. Although most animals exhibited moderate to severe neuronal and glial alterations, groups of surviving cells were observed in the stratum oriens and in the granular layer of dentate gyrus. In one animal the majority of CA3 pyramidal cells and granule cells was preserved. These findings demonstrate that after 1 h of complete cerebral ischemia dorsal hippocampus exhibits two different types of injury: a consistent pattern of selective vulnerability in the hilus and the regio superior, and a variable pattern of non-selective injury in the regio inferior and dentate gyrus. The two patterns can be best explained by intrinsic (pathoclitic) and extrinsic (hemodynamic/edema) factors, respectively and are likely to represent basically different mechanisms of ischemic injury.

Notes: Summary With the use of monoclonal antibodies, raised against the human polyglucosan, positive staining of polyglucosan bodies (PGB) was detected in the brain, spinal cord and cecum of aged dogs. PGB in feline brain were also positively stained with these antibodies. These findings indicate that animal PGB share common antigenicity with human PGB.

Notes: Summary In 20 cats anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose and spinalized at the thoracolumbar junction we investigated the role of stimulation induced accumulation of extracellular potassium in the spinal cord in the processing of nociceptive discharges from the knee joint. For that we electrically stimulated the posterior articular nerve of the knee. We further performed innocuous and noxious stimulation of the knee and of other parts of the leg and studied the effect of an acute inflammation of the knee on [K+]0 in the spinal cord. Innocuous stimulation of the skin (brushing or touching) and innocuous movements in the knee joint all induced rises in [K+]0 which were maximal at recording depths of 1500 to 2200 μm below the surface of the cord dorsum. Peak increases were 0.4 mM for touching the leg and 1.7 mM during rhythmic flexion/ extension of the knee joint. Noxious stimulation of the skin, the paw, the tendon and noxious movements of the knee joint also produced rises in [K+]0, which were somewhat larger for the individual types of stimuli than those produced by innocuous intensities. Electrical stimulation of the posterior articular nerve induced rises in [K+]0 by up to 0.6 mM. Stimulus intensities sufficient to activate unmyelinated group IV fibers were only slightly effective in raising [K+]0 above the levels reached during stimulation of myelinated group II and III fibers. During development of an acute inflammation of the knee joint (induced by kaolin and carrageenan), increases in [K+]0 and associated field potentials became larger by about 25%. We assume that this reflects an increase in neuronal responses. In conclusion, changes in [K+]0 in the spinal cord are some-what larger during noxious stimulation than during innocuous stimulation. The absolute level reached depended more on the site and type of stimulation than on the actual stimulus intensity itself. Hence a critical role of spinal K+ accumulation for nociception is unlikely.

Notes: Summary Most of the retinal input to the cat's superior colliculus (SC) arises from W-cells of the contralateral eye and terminates just below the tectal surface. The goal of this study was to determine whether the strength of this input is uniform over the collicular map or, instead, exhibits topographic variations as has been reported for the retinotectal Y-cell projection (McIlwain and Lufkin 1976). Monosynaptic inputs from the principal W-cell projection mediate the late negative potential (LNP), a collicular field potential that can be evoked by shocks to the optic pathway. We assumed that the amplitude of the potential provided a measure of the strength of the W-cell input to the upper superficial gray layer. Using a fixed stimulus, we measured the maximal amplitude of the LNP at 90 topographically identified tectal sites in 5 cats. The amplitude of the LNP varied as much as 5-fold over the SC and was systematically related to the azimuthal position of the recording site. LNP amplitudes were consistently smallest in the representation of the area centralis and vertical meridian and largest in the representations of the contralateral hemifield periphery and the ipsilateral hemifield. There was little systematic variation in LNP amplitude as a function of elevation in the map. The observed variations did not result from non-uniform activation of retinal afferents or drift in properties of the recording electrodes, stimuli, or preparation. The results suggest that the principal W-cell input to the SC is weaker in the representation of the area centralis than elsewhere in the map. These topographic variations are similar to those reported for the retinotectal Y-cell projection (McIlwain and Lufkin 1976) and are consistent with anatomical evidence for thinning of retinal input in the area-centralis representation (Graybiel 1975; Harting and Guillery 1976; Mize 1983). An important implication of these results is that the scaling of the collicular retinotopic map may not be proportional to the spatial density of tectally projecting W-cells.

Notes: Summary In parallel experiments on humans and in the cat it was investigated how the sensitivity of monosynaptic test reflexes to facilitation and inhibition varies as a function of the size of the control test reflex itself. In man the monosynaptic reflex (the Hoffmann reflex) was evoked in either the soleus muscle (by stimulation of the tibial nerve) or the quadriceps muscle (by stimulation of the femoral nerve). In the decerebrate cat monosynaptic reflexes were recorded from the nerves to soleus and medial gastrocnemius muscles; they were evoked by stimulation of the proximal ends of the sectioned L7 and S1 dorsal roots. Various excitatory and inhibitory spinal reflex pathways were used for conditioning the test reflexes (e.g. monosynaptic Ia excitation, disynaptic reciprocal inhibition, cutaneous inhibition, recurrent inhibition, presynaptic inhibition of the Ia fibres mediating the test reflex). It was shown that the additional number of motoneurones recruited in a monosynaptic test reflex by a constant excitatory conditioning stimulus was very much dependent on the size of the test reflex itself. This dependency had the same characteristic pattern whatever the conditioning stimulus. With increasing size of the test reflex the number of additionally recruited motoneurones first increased, then reached a peak (or plateau) and finally decreased. A similar relation was also seen with inhibitory conditioning stimuli. The basic physiological factors responsible for these findings are discussed. Finally, the implications for the interpretation of experiments in man with the H-reflex technique are considered.

Notes: Summary We mapped the topographic distribution of auditory responses in the posterior cerebellar vermis of the cat under barbiturate anesthesia. Auditory neurons in the granule cell layer of lobules VI and VII appeared to be arranged in columns perpendicular to the surface of the cerebellar cell layers. Mapping the surface of the cerebellum, auditory responses were found as separated patches of the order of a square millimeter. Neurons on these patches responded to auditory stimuli but neurons between patches did not respond to sound. In decerebrated cats, the entire granule cell layer within the cerebellar auditory area responded to acoustic stimulation without a patchy pattern. Responses to tonal stimuli from single neurons in the granule cell layer were studied before and after the induction of barbiturate anesthesia. Some neurons showed no change in their responses to sound before and under barbiturate. But other neurons showed dramatically attenuated responses or essentially stopped responding as a result of barbiturate anesthesia. These results suggest that there may be two types of granule cells distinguishable in their auditory responses and therefore possibly in function.

Notes: Summary The contribution of area 19 to pattern discrimination in the cat was studied by single cell recordings in this area and by behavioural experiments before and after bilateral lesions. In order to make quantitative comparisons between behavioural performance and that of cell systems, we introduced a new parameter that characterizes visual neurons by their signal-to-noise (S/N) thresholds. A structured visual background made up of Gaussian visual broadband noise which could be moved was superimposed on the signal (moving bars or outline patterns) and the S/N characteristics of the response were determined by varying the signal intensity. The detection performance of cats after bilateral lesion of area 19 showed no deficits. Only for slowly (11 deg/s) or quickly (110 deg/s) moving patterns, or when the background was moved relative to stationary patterns, did we find slight, but significant deficits in the low S/N range. However, when the S/N ratios were higher than 5, all cats achieved their full preoperative performances and no deficits remained. The S/N thresholds of neurons in area 19 were much higher than those found for neurons in areas 17 and 18. The lowest thresholds were found with a stationary background. Introduction of relative velocity between background and bar resulted in intermediate thresholds and the highest thresholds were observed for stimulus configurations lacking relative velocity. These effects correspond to the performance of the intact animal, in which introduction of relative motion increases the performance. The S/N thresholds did not correlate with levels of spike rate recorded at high S/N ratios, direction selectivity or speed preference, indicating that S/N threshold measurements provide a significant additional description of visual neurons. A limited number of area 19 cells recorded in area 17/18 lesioned animals showed very similar thresholds suggesting that this property may be independent of the intactness of areas 17 and 18. The residual performance by 17/18 lesioned cats in detecting small patterns corresponds well to the characteristics of the single cells of area 19. This suggests that area 19 might be able to make a considerable contribution to this task when areas 17/18 are eliminated, though by itself it seems not to be able to sustain the level of performance mediated by them. The contribution of area 19 is restricted to performances at high S/N ratios only. In contrast to what was found for areas 17 and 18, area 19 makes no essential contribution to lowering the S/N ratio at which the system is able to detect the presence of a pattern in a background of irrelevant detail.

Notes: Summary Axonal projections and synaptic connectivity of expiratory Bötzinger neurons with an augmenting firing pattern (Bot-Aug neurons) to neurons in the ipsilateral ventral respiratory group (VRG) were studied in anaesthetized cats. Antidromic mapping revealed extensive axonal arborizations of Bot-Aug neurons (24 of 45) to the rostral or caudal VRG, with some having arbors in both regions. Of 234 pairs of neurons studied with intracellular recording and spike-triggered averaging, monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) were evoked in 49/221 VRG neurons by 38/98 Bot-Aug neurons. The highest incidence of monosynaptic inhibition was found in inspiratory bulbospinal neurons (10 of 23 tested). Evidence was also found for monosynaptic inhibition, by a separate group of Bot-Aug neurons, of expiratory bulbospinal neurons (12/58), while excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were identified in another two of these neurons. In addition, monosynaptic IPSPs were recorded from 13 of 53 identified laryngeal motoneurons, and from 14 of 100 respiratory propriobulbar neurons. Presumptive disynaptic IPSPs were recorded from 11 of the 221 VRG neurons. We conclude that Bot-Aug neurons exert widespread inhibition on all major neuron categories in the ipsilateral VRG, and should be regarded as an important element in shaping the spatiotemporal output pattern of both respiratory motoneurons and premotor neurons.

Notes: Summary Length tuning was first described for the “hypercomplex cell category” in the visual cortex. However it has subsequently become apparent that cells in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) also exhibit a high degree of length tuning and that for the majority of the population this matches or exceeds that associated with cortical hypercomplex cells (Cleland et al. 1983; Jones and Sillito 1987). In this paper we describe a distinct subpopulation of dLGN Y cells that lack length tuning. These cells were also characterised by poor centre-surround antagonism, and tended to be located close to laminar borders. They appeared to constitute 25% of the Y cell population. Following recent evidence showing relay cells to be powerfully excited by acetylcholine, and inhibitory interneurones to be inhibited, we have examined the responses of these non-length tuned cells to iontophoretic application of acetylcholine. Their brisk excitatory responses suggest that these cells are in fact relay cells. Their presence raises the possibility of a discrete non-length tuned component to the geniculate input to the cortex, and has potentially important implications for the way in which synaptic processes contributing to the length tuning profiles of visual cortical cells are modelled.

Notes: Summary Injections of peroxidase-conjugated wheatgerm agglutinin (WGA-HRP) were made into areas 17 or 18 of cats. After survivals of 3–7 days, foci of HRP-labeled ganglion cells were found at the appropriate topographic locations in the retinas. The labeling was interpreted as resulting from retrograde transneuronal transport through the lateral geniculate nucleus. This phenomenon offers a new and simple technique for the study of retinotopic maps in visual cortex.

Notes: Summary The anatomy of intracellularly HRP-labeled soleus α-motoneurone dendrites was studied both in normal adult cats (“normal soleus”, NS) and in adult cats which at a postnatal age of 5–7 days had been subjected to chronic tenotomy of either the soleus muscle (“tenotomized soleus”, TS), or all the soleus synergists contributing to the achilles tendon (“overloaded soleus”, OS). A set of “structural rules” seemed to govern the architecture of normal soleus α-motoneurone dendrites. Thus, the dendrites branched dichotomously and the number of daughter branches originating from a preterminal branch was proportional to the diameter of that parent branch. Branch diameter decreased across branching points according to the “3/2 power rule” of Rall (1959). Branching occurred down to a preterminal branch diameter of about 0.8 μm. Through all branch orders there existed a quite precise relation between the diameter of a preterminal branch and the membrane area of its distal dendritic arborization. The average dendritic path distance from soma to termination was not closely related to the diameter of the stem dendrite, since thick stem dendrites rather generated more profusely branched arborizations than thin stem dendrites. As a corollary of these characteristics close relations existed between the dendritic stem diameter on one hand, and the total number of branches, combined dendritic length, total dendritic membrane area and total volume, on the other. In the OS material, the dendrites were not different from those of normal soleus motoneurone dendrites. In the TS material, the dendrites were less branched and had greater dendritic path lengths, although the relations between various size-parameters within the dendrites were not significantly altered compared with normal dendrites. It was concluded that the change in branching pattern was due to a net elimination of dendritic branches following the muscle tenotomy.

Notes: Summary To test the possibility that glutamate (Glu) and aspartate (Asp) are transmitters at geniculo-cortical synapses in the visual cortex of the cat, we studied the release of amino acids from the striate cortex consequent upon visual and electrical stimulation of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and of the optic tract, using push-pull cannulae. We perfused a discrete region that included layer IV of the cortex with an artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) and analysed the amino acid content of these perfusates by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Significant increases only of Glu and Asp were obtained among all 17 amino acids measured, except for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), during electrical stimulation of the afferent pathways. Visual stimulation by stroboscopic diffuse flashes of light increased the level of Glu released, but did not change that of Asp significantly. The level of GABA released did not change during diffuse flash stimulation, suggesting that the increase in Glu was not derived from cortical neurons. The increases in release of Glu/Asp were not seen when the perfusion medium was replaced with a Ca2+-free, high-Mg2+-containing solution. The basal (resting) release of Glu/Asp in the absence of stimulation also was decreased during perfusion with Ca2+-free/high-Mg2+ solutions. Intraocular injections of a sodium channel blocker, tetrodotoxin (TTX), resulted in a remarkable decrease in the basal release of Glu. These results suggest that Glu is released as an excitatory synaptic transmitter at least from terminals of geniculo-cortical afferents and Asp from axons of a certain type of visual cortical neuron.

Notes: Summary The spontaneous segregation of texture areas is an impressive perceptual phenomenon, the neural basis of which is not yet understood. In the texton concept (Julesz and Bergen 1983; Julesz 1984, 1986) it is assumed that the visual system analyzes a stimulus for certain features (‘textons’) the spatial distribution of which is pre-attentively registered and may provide the percept of dissected texture areas. Supposed textons are blobs of a given size, oriented lines, line intersections and line terminators, suggesting that texture analysis is exclusively mediated by form-specific filters at higher, e.g. cortical, processing levels. This paper investigates the contribution of cells in the cat lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) to segregation of typical texton differences. The results indicate that LGN cells, though not resembling the supposed texton filters, often distinguished textured arrangements of such features on the basis of a variety of other visual cues, such as global or local variations in mean luminance or differences in spatial frequency composition. Thus, cells responded to texture borders between areas differing in the size or the density of texture elements and often revealed differential firing rates to textures differing by the crossing or the terminator feature. For textures with differences in line orientation, however, only small variations of the firing rate were seen. In summary, the observations suggest a means of texture representation in the cat LGN which is different from recent concepts of texture segregation in man. For given pair of textures, cells with receptive fields larger than, or similar to the texture raster respond to global and local luminance variations between areas and, in particular, to differences in their spatial frequency composition. These cells, hence, may signal the global texture difference without encoding spatial details of the pattern from which texton features could be identified. Cells with receptive fields small in comparison to texture elements transfer all the information necessary for analyzing these elements in detail, but themselves are relatively insensitive to global texture differences.

Notes: Summary During normal postnatal development there is a partial elimination of the callosal projections of cortical areas 17 and 18 in the cat. Visual experience early in life can modulate this process. In the present study, we investigated how restricting visual experience to alternating monocular occlusion affects the development of the callosal connections of cortical areas 17 and 18. Alternating monocular occlusion exaggerates the normally occurring partial elimination of immature callosal projections: it causes a significant reduction in the total number of neurons in the supragranular layers that send an axon through the corpus callosum and marginally increases the distribution of these neurons across areas 17 and 18. Examination of these data in the context of the effects of other types of abnormal early visual experience on the corpus callosum and on the anatomy and physiology of areas 17 and 18 indicates that the postnatal development of the corpus callosum is under the control of multiple, interacting influences which differ in the magnitude and quality of their effects. The data also support the conclusion, drawn from our results in prior studies, that normal visual stimulation is necessary for the stabilization of the normal complement of callosal projections.

Notes: Summary Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were evoked in principal cells of the cat's dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus by electrical stimulation of cortico-geniculate fibres. The EPSPs had a pronounced frequency sensitivity. They were barely detectable at stimulation frequencies below 3 Hz but increased dramatically in size at higher frequencies. At 30–50 Hz their amplitude typically exceeded that of EPSPs from optic tract fibres. A prominent EPSP potentiation was also obtained with pair pulse stimulation. The findings are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that the cortico-geniculate system serves as a variable gain regulator for the visual input to the cortex.

Notes: Summary Forelimb trajectory and the activity of eight muscles operating at the elbow, wrist and digit joints were compared during the contact placing reaction, during the swing phase of locomotion and during reactions induced by swing perturbations, to verify the hypothesis that common neural mechanisms are involved in these reactions. Both the patterns of muscle activation and forelimb kinetics during the placing reaction greatly differed from those during the swing phase of locomotion. Both similarities and differences have been found between the placing reaction and the reaction to swing perturbations. Similar latencies, patterns of muscle activation and trajectories have been found for elbow movements while considerable differences were seen in the movements of distal joints. Both reactions started with a backward and upward movement at the proximal joints which was accompanied by a locking at the elbow. At the distal joints, tactile stimuli evoked first a wrist ventroflexion during the placing reaction, whereas they induced wrist dorsiflexion to swing perturbations. A further difference between these two reactions appeared at the beginning of the extension which was highly passive during the reaction to swing perturbation and active during contact placing. These results suggest that some common, most likely spinal, reflexes are involved at the beginning of the two reactions while their extension phases are controlled in a different way.

Notes: Summary Geniculate cell responses to moving bars and moving texture were compared in normal cats and in cats in which the corticofugal feedback was removed by cortical ablation. In experimental animals the response strength and the velocity upper cutoff assessed with a moving bar was reduced compared to control animals. The strength of response to texture decreased even more after cortical ablation, which also changed the response pattern of X cells to moving texture. These data suggest that corticofugal feedback contributues to the geniculate responses to moving stimuli and in particular to moving texture.

Notes: Summary Extracellular recordings from interneurons located in the L4 spinal segment were made during fictive locomotion produced by electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) in the paralysed decerebrate cat. Only interneurons within the L4 segment which received group II input from quadriceps, sartorius or the pretibial flexor muscle afferents and which had axonal projections to motor nuclei in L7 were selected for analysis. During the fictive step cycle two thirds of these interneurons fired action potentials during the time of activity in the ipsilateral hindlimb flexor neurograms. These cells were also less responsive to peripheral input during the extension phase of the fictive locomotion cycle. The remaining one third of the interneurons examined were not rhythmically active during locomotion. The possible contributions of the midlumbar interneurons to motoneuron activity during locomotion are discussed.

Notes: Summary The interconnections of the auditory cortex with the parahippocampal and cingulate cortices were studied in the cat. Injections of the anterograde and retrograde tracer WGA-HRP were performed, in different cats (n = 9), in electrophysiologically identified auditory cortical fields. Injections in the posterior zone of the auditory cortex (PAF or at the PAF/AI border) labeled neurons and axonal terminal fields in the cingulate gyrus, mainly in the ventral bank of the splenial sulcus (a region that can be considered as an extension of the cytoarchitectonic area Cg), and posteriorly in the retrosplenial area. Labeling was also present in area 35 of the perirhinal cortex, but it was sparser than in the cingulate gyrus. Following WGA-HRP injection in All, no labeling was found in the cingulate gyrus, but a few neurons and terminals were labeled in area 35. In contrast, no or very sparse labeling was observed in the cingulate and perirhinal cortices after WGA-HRP injections in the anterior zone of the auditory cortex (AI or AAF). A WGA-HRP injection in the cingulate gyrus labeled neurons in the posterior zone of the auditory cortex, between the posterior ectosylvian and the posterior suprasylvian sulci, but none was found more anteriorly in regions corresponding to AI, AAF and AII. The present data indicate the existence of preferential interconnections between the posterior auditory cortex and the limbic system (cingulate and parahippocampal cortices). This specialization of posterior auditory cortical areas can be related to previous observations indicating that the anterior and posterior regions of the auditory cortex differ from each other by their response properties to sounds and their pattern of connectivity with the auditory thalamus and the claustrum.

Notes: Summary Several experimental results indicate that the peribrachial (PB) cholinergic area of the pedunculopontine nucleus is the final relay for the transfer of brainstem-generated pontogeniculo-occipital (PGO) waves to the thalamus. However, the mechanisms underlying the PGO-related activity of PB neurons remain unknown. In order to study these mechanisms, single unit recordings in the PB area were performed in reserpinized cats. Because PGO waves are closely related to rapid eye movements, our microelectrode explorations were also aimed to some structures of the preoculomotor network, namely, the superior colliculus (SC) and parts of the central tegmental field (FTC). We have found several classes of PGO-on cells in the PB area, most of them descharging 80 ms or less before the peak of PGO waves. These cell-classes comprised high-frequency bursting cells, slow-frequency bursting cells, and neurons discharging single spikes or doublets. Intracellular recordings showed that PGO-on single spikes arise from conventional excitatory postsynaptic potentials. Among PGO-related cells in structures outside the PB limits, it was found that most SC cells discharge during or after the PGO, whereas FTC cells increase their discharge rate several hundreds of ms before PGO waves, thus indicating that PGO waves are elaborated long before the activition of PB neurons. Massive retrograde labeling was found in FTC following horseradish peroxidase injections into the PB area. We suggest that long-lead FTC neurons provide an excitatory input to PGO-on PB neurons.

Notes: Summary The vestibular nuclei of adult cat were injected with retrogradely transported tracers, WGA-HRP or fluorescent Diamidino-Yellow. Labelled cells were found in the caudal half of the ipsilateral mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, in the area where ganglionic cells of the sensory receptors in the extraocular muscles have previously been described. Double labelling experiments were carried out with Diamidino Yellow injected in vestibular nuclei and Fast Blue in extraocular muscles. Some cells in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus were found to contain both tracers, providing evidence that vestibular neurons do receive direct afferent signals from extraocular muscles. Therefore, this anatomical demonstration suggests a direct feed-back control between the extraocular muscle receptors and the vestibular nuclei.

Notes: Summary Direction-selective or direction-biased striate cortical neurones were assessed for absence or incidence of suppression of firing, maximal at 90° or 180° (“null” suppression) to the optimal direction, in 327 neurones recorded from the striate cortex of cats anaesthetized with N2O/O2/halothane. Stimuli were light or dark bars moving over uniform or stationary textured back-grounds; or square-wave gratings of optimal spatial frequency and velocity. Five identified directionality groups were correlated with neuronal class and a range of other receptive field properties. Suppression maximal at 90° to optimum was common amongst direction-biased neurones, rare amongst direction-selective neurones. In the latter group, null suppression (maximal at 180° to optimum) was more prevalent than at 90°. Standard complex cells constituted the majority of complex neurones. They were more commonly direction-biased and less commonly showed suppression than special complex cells. The latter comprised the majority of direction-selective neurones with 180° suppression. Endstopping was seen more frequently in special complex cells, but for each functional class was similarly distributed between the different directionality groups. Based on the mean and mode of partially overlapping distributions, for all neuronal classes direction-selective neurones were more broadly tuned than direction-biased neurones. Special complex neurones were appreciably more broadly tuned than standard complex neurones; those with suppression at 180° were the most broadly tuned neurones in the cortex. Direction-biased neurones with suppression at 90° to optimum were more sharply tuned than those lacking such suppression. Direction-selective neurones had larger receptive fields than direction-biased neurones. In both groups receptive fields decreased in size in the sequence: intermediate complex 〉 standard complex 〉 special complex 〉 simple. Resting discharge was highest amongst direction-selective neurones with 180° suppression, lower in those with 90° suppression or those lacking it, and lowest amongst direction-biased neurones. With the possible exception of the minority of neurones that were silent, low levels of resting discharge have not seriously prejudiced either neuronal categorization or comparisons of tuning selectivity. The pattern which emerges is that suppression maximal in directions orthogonal to the preferred direction/orientation is more commonly associated with sharp tuning and directionbias, whereas “null” suppression, in the direction opposite that preferred, is associated with broad tuning, direction-selectivity, high resting discharge levels and strong texture sensitivity.

Notes: Summary Collateralization and termination of single C3-C4 propriospinal neurones (PNs) have been studied in the C6-Th1 segments of the cat using two methods: threshold mapping for antidromic activation of C3-C4 PNs and intra-axonal injection of horseradish peroxidase. Low threshold points for antidromic activation of C3-C4 PNs were found in the region of different motor nuclei in lamina IX both at one level and at different segmental levels, in all parts of lamina VII, in the lateral part of lamina VI and in the dorsal and ventral parts of lamina VIII. Collaterals were found from C6 to Th1. A marked decrease of conduction velocity of the stem axon occurred in the caudal region of termination, while it was almost constant in the rostral region of termination. HRP was injected iontophoretically in C6-Th1 into stem axons of neurones, which were activated antidromically from the ventral part of the lateral funiculus in C5/C6, from the lateral reticular nucleus (LRN) and monosynaptically from the corticospinal fibres (stimulated in the contralateral pyramid) which were transected in C5/C6. Reconstruction of successfully stained stem axons, revealed collaterals with terminals on presumed motoneurones in different parts of lamina IX and on interneurones in laminae IV–VIII. These findings confirm previous results which showed monosynaptic projections from C3-C4 PNs to forelimb motoneurones and Ia inhibitory interneurones. With respect to termination in the region of the motoneurones in lamina IX and in the region of Ia inhibitory interneurones in lamina VII, three patterns were found: 1) termination mainly in lamina IX (n=1) 2) termination in laminae IX and VII (n=15) and 3) termination mainly in lamina VII (n=2). However, in some cases the same stem axon gave off collaterals which terminated either on motoneurones in lamina IX or on presumed Ia inhibitory interneurones in lamina VII. Furthermore, when the stem axons had collaterals which terminated in different motor nuclei only some of these collaterals had additional terminations on presumed Ia inhibitory interneurones. This result suggest that C3-C4 PNs do not follow a strict Ia pattern of reciprocal innervation. It is tentatively proposed that the difference of innervation may be related to the type of multi-joint movement, such as target-reaching with the forelimb, which has been shown to be controlled by the C3-C4 PNs. Termination in laminae VI, VIII and different parts of lamina VII indicates that C3-C4 PNs also project to other types of neurones than motoneurones and Ia inhibitory interneurones. Injection of wheat germ agglutinated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) laterally in laminae VI-VII in C3 and C4 caused anterograde labelling of axonal bundles from neurones in these segments. Labelled axons were found mainly in the lateral funiculus with the highest density in the ventral part. These axons could be traced throughout the forelimb segments and also to the LRN.

Notes: Summary Somatic location, axonal trajectories and synaptic effects of inhibitory vestibulocollic neurons which were activated by selective stimulation of the anterior semicircular canal nerve (ACN) were studied in the anesthetized cat. ACN stimulation evoked disynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in neck flexor motoneurons. This was seen in all the (64/64) tested motoneurons innervating the ipsilateral (i-) longus capitis (LC) and the i-sternocleidomastoideus (SCM) muscles and in 86% (38/44) of the motoneurons innervating the contralateral (c-) LC muscle. The inhibitory relay neurons, identified by orthodromic and antidromic responses to stimulation of the ACN and the i- and c-LC motoneuron pools, were classified as VCi (vestibulocollic neurons sending an axon to the i-LC motoneuron pool) and VCc (vestibulocollic neurons sending an axon to the c-LC motoneuron pool) neurons. Neither VCi nor VCc neurons were activated antidromically by localized stimulation of the ascending medial longitudinal fasciculus (asc. MLF) or the 3rd nuclei. They were located in the medial, descending and ventral lateral vestibular nuclei. It was also observed that VCi neurons produced unitary IPSPs in i-LC and i-SCM motoneurons in the C1 segment. Inhibitory synapses were estimated to be on the cell somata and/or the proximal dendrites of the motoneurons.

Notes: Summary Efferent discharges in muscle nerves of the four limbs were recorded simultaneously during spontaneous fictive locomotion in thalamic cats with the goal of understanding how the central nervous system controls interlimb coordination during stepping. The onset of the bursts of activity in the nerve of a selected flexor muscle in each limb allowed the temporal and the phase relationships between the fictive step cycle of a pair of limbs to be determined. Our main results are the following: 1) the fictive step cycles of the two forelimbs are always strictly alternated whereas the phasing of the step cycles of either the two hindlimbs or pairs of homolateral or diagonal limbs is more variable; 2) the time interval between the onsets of the flexor bursts of one of the two pairs of diagonal limbs is independent of the step cycle duration; 3) distinct patterns of interlimb coordination exist during fictive locomotion; a small number of patterns of coordination involving all four limbs, which correspond to the walking and the trotting gaits in the intact cat, occur very frequently. The results demonstrate that the central nervous system deprived of phasic afferent inputs from the periphery has the capacity to generate most of the patterns of interlimb coordination which occur during real locomotion. They further support the view that the central pattern of interlimb coordination essentially results from diagonal interactions between a forelimb generator for locomotion and a hindlimb one.

Notes: Summary 1. Maximal activation directions of vertical burst-tonic and tonic neurons in the region of the interstitial nucleus of Cajal (INC) were examined in alert cats during vertical vestibulo-ocular reflex induced by sinusoidal rotation (at 0.11 Hz±10 deg, or 0.31 Hz±5 deg) in a variety of vertical planes using a null point analysis. The results were compared with the angles of anatomical and functional planes of vertical canals reported by Blanks et al. (1972) and Robinson (1982), and with the angles of vertical eye muscles measured in this study and by Ezure and Graf (1984). 2. Maximal activation directions of 23 cells (21 burst-tonic and 2 tonic neurons) were determined from their responses during rotation in 4 or more different vertical planes. All cells showed sinusoidal gain curves and virtually constant phase values except near the null regions, suggesting that their responses were evoked primarily by canal inputs. Phase values of 5 cells near the null regions depended on the rotation plane, suggesting additional otolith inputs. We used a measurement error range of ±10 deg for calculating the maximal activation directions from the null regions of individual cells and the values of error ranges of null calculation. Of the 23, the maximal activation directions of 7 cells were outside the measurement error ranges of vertical eye muscle angles and within the ranges of vertical canal angles (class A), those of 5 cells were within the ranges of eye muscle angles and outside the ranges of vertical canal angles (class B), and those of the remaining 11 cells were in the overlapping ranges for both angles (class C). Even if only the cells in which 5 or more measurement points were taken to determine maximal activation directions (n = 15), the results were similar. During vertical rotation with the head orientation +60 deg off the pitch plane, dissociation of cell activity and vertical compensatory eye movement was observed in 5 cells in class A or C that had null angles near +45 deg. These results suggest that the cells in class A and B carried individual vertical canal and oculomotor signals, respectively, although it is difficult to tell for the majority of cells (class C) which signals they reflected. Some cells in class A and C were antidromically activated from the medial longitudinal fasciculus at the level of abducens nucleus, suggesting that the signals carried by these cells may be sent to the lower brainstem. 3. Most burst-tonic neurons did not respond to horizontal rotation; significant responses were obtained in only 3 of 10 cells tested for which the gain was only 14–17% of their maximal vertical gain. There was no clear difference in gain or phase values of the responses to vertical rotation, or in eye position sensitivity (during spontaneous saccades) between cells whose responses coincided with individual vertical canal angles and those matching the angles of vertical recti muscles. The values of phase lag (re head acceleration during pitch rotation) and eye position sensitivity of these cells are still smaller compared to those of extraocular motoneurons reported by Delgado-Garcia et al. (1986), although they were larger than those of secondary vestibulo-ocular neurons (Perlmutter et al. 1988). All these results suggest that the signals carried by burst-tonic and tonic neurons in the INC region are different from oculomotor signals. 4. Similar analysis was done for comparison for 19 other cells that did not show close correlation with spontaneous eye movement but whose activity was clearly modulated by pitch rotation (pitch cells). More than a half (10/19) had maximal activation directions outside the measurement error ranges of individual vertical canal angles, and many shifted towards roll. Horizontal rotation produced responses with higher gain than burst-tonic neurons, suggesting a difference in the spatial response properties of burst-tonic and tonic neurons on one hand and pitch cells on the other.

Notes: Summary (1) Discharge characteristics of neurons in the region of the interstitial nucleus of Cajal (INC) were studied in alert cats during spontaneous or visually induced eye movement and sinusoidal vertical (pitch) rotation. Activity of a majority of cells (n = 68) was closely related to vertical eye position with or without bursting activity during on-direction saccades. They were called vertical burst-tonic (n = 62) and tonic (n = 6) neurons. Mean discharge rates for individual cells when the eye was near the primary position ranged from 35 to 133 (mean 75) spikes/s with a coefficient of variation (CV) ranging from 0.04 to 0.29 (mean 0.15). Average rate position curves were linear for the great majority of these cells with a mean slope of 3.9 ± 1.2 SD spikes/s/deg. (2) The burst index was defined as the difference in discharge rate between maximal rate during an on-direction saccade and the tonic rate after the saccade. The values of mean burst index for individual cells ranged from 8 to 352 (mean 135) spikes/s. Tonic neurons had a burst index lower than 60 spikes/s and were distributed in the lower end of the continuous histogram, suggesting that burst-tonic and tonic neurons may be a continuous group with varying degrees of burst components. During off-direction saccades, a pause was not always observed, although discharge rate consistently decreased and pauses were seen when saccades were made further in the off-direction toward recruitment thresholds. Significant positive correlation was observed between average discharge rate during off- as well as on-direction saccades and tonic discharge rate after saccades for individual cells, which was not due to cats making saccades mainly from the primary position. (3) During pitch rotation at 0.11 Hz (±10 deg), burst-tonic and tonic neurons had mean phase lag and gain of 128 (±13 SD) deg and 4.2 (±1.7 SD) spikes/s/deg/s2 relative to head acceleration. During pitch rotation of a wide frequency range (0.044–0.495 Hz), the values of phase lag were mostly constant (120–140 deg), while simultaneously recorded vertical VOR showed the mean phase lag of 178 deg. Vertical eye position sensitivity and pitch gain (re head position) showed significant positive correlation. (4) Comparison of the discharge characteristics of vertical burst-tonic and tonic neurons with those of secondary vestibulo-ocular neurons (Perlmutter et al. 1988) and extraocular motoneurons (Delgado-Garcia et al. 1986) in alert cats suggests that signals carried by burst-tonic and tonic neurons are partially processed signals in vertical VOR and saccades, and different from oculomotor signals. (5) The INC region also contained many cells that did not belong to the above groups but whose activity was clearly modulated by pitch rotation (called pitch cells for the present study, n = 44). Many (n = 23) showed some correlation with vestibular quick phases, and some (n = 12) with visually elicited eye movement, although they showed significantly lower and more irregular discharge rates than burst-tonic and tonic neurons (mean discharge rate when the eye was near the primary position 34, range 3–91, spikes/s; mean CV 0.61, range 0.15–1.7). During pitch rotation they showed the mean phase lag and gain of 119(±26 SD) deg and 3.2(±2.1 SD) spikes/s/deg/s2. Some cells showed a much lower phase lag of about 90 deg. (6) More than half the burst-tonic, tonic and pitch cells tested were antidromically activated by stimuli applied to the ponto-medullary medial longitudinal fasciculus at the level of abducens nucleus, while none of them were activated from the inferior olive, suggesting that vertical eye position signals carried by some burst-tonic and tonic neurons are carried to the lower brainstem.

Notes: Summary The laminar distribution and postnatal development of profiles immunoreactive to antibodies directed against serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) have been investigated in the primary visual cortex (striate cortex, area 17) of cats. In the adult cat, profiles with serotonin-like immunoreactivity consist exclusively of fibers which exhibit laminar differences in density and predominant orientation. Immunoreactive fibers are dense in layers I–III, less dense in layer V, and sparse in layers IV and VI. In layers I and VI the trajectories of these fibers are mainly tangential to the pial surface; in layers II–V they are predominantly radial and more irregular. The vast majority of immunoreactive fibers consists of fine axons with frequent small varicosities. In addition, there are a few thick axons. In 2-week-old cats, immunoreactive fibers are sparsely distributed through layers II–V. By 4 weeks, fiber density has decreased still further in layer IV and increased in layers I–III. By 6 weeks, the laminar pattern resembles that of adult cats except that fiber density is still lower than in adults. At three months of age, the mature pattern is established.

Notes: Summary Following section of the corpus callosum at 1–6 postnatal weeks in cats, behavioral visual acuity was measured binocularly and monocularly from 6–29 postnatal weeks; physiological determination of spatial frequency thresholds of single striate cortical cells was performed when the cats were at least 8 months old. Results were compared between cats with callosum section at each postnatal week, as well as with normal cats. Cats with callosotomy at 1–3 postnatal weeks had deficits in behavioral visual acuity, and the deficits were greatest in the youngest operated cats. Cats with callosotomy at 1–2 postnatal weeks failed to resolve as high spatial frequencies as did normal cats, and the resolution of the 1 week operated cats was lower than the resolution of the 2 week operated cats. Cats with callosotomy at 3–6 postnatal weeks had spatial frequency thresholds that were equivalent to those of normal cats. To determine what kinds of striate cells had reduced spatial resolution following neonatal corpus callosum section, cells were categorized according to class (Simple, Complex), receptive field location (Central, Peripheral), and monocular behavioral acuity eye performance (Better Eye, Worse Eye). Cats with corpus callosum section during postnatal week 1 had the lowest spatial resolution for all cell categories compared to all groups tested. However, cats with callosum section during postnatal week 2 had normal spatial frequency thresholds for Simple, Central and Better Eye categories. The cats with callosum section in postnatal weeks 3–6 had normal spatial frequency thresholds for all cell categories. For corpus callosum sectioned cats with and without visual deficits, and for normal cats, visual acuity measured behaviorally is significantly related to visual acuity measured physiologically. The results show that neonatal corpus callosum section in cats can affect behavioral visual acuity, as well as the spatial frequency thresholds of many categories of striate cortical cells. However, callosum section at different ages affects different populations of cortical cells. Furthermore, the results suggest that neonatal corpus callosum section may directly affect a single fundamental property of cells in primary visual cortex with a resulting disruption of many visual functions.

Notes: Summary The population of neurons in the cat motor cortex which receives monosynaptic input from a specific functional region of the somatic sensory cortex was identified with the techniques of intracellular recording and staining with HRP. Both pyramidal and nonpyramidal cells located in the superficial layers of the pericruciate cortex responded to stimulation of the sensory cortex with short latency, excitatory postsynaptic potentials. More than half of the labeled cells were classified as pyramidal cells and the remainder as sparsely spinous or aspinous nonpyramidal cells. The characteristics of the EPSP's of the 2 groups of cells, ie. latency, time from beginning to peak and amplitude were found to vary only slightly. The results suggest that input from the sensory cortex impinges upon neurons which may in turn have an excitatory or inhibitory effect on corticofugal neurons in the motor cortex.

Notes: Summary The projection from the intracerebellar nuclei to the paravermal (intermediate) cerebellar cortex of lobule Vb/c has been investigated in the cat using a combined electrophysiological and neuroanatomical technique. A small (10–30 nl) injection of WGA-HRP was made into one of the three paravermal zones (c1, c2 or c3) after the mediolateral boundaries of the zones had been delimited on the cerebellar surface by recording climbing fibre field potentials evoked in response to percutaneous stimulation of one or more paws. The distribution of retrogradely labelled cell bodies within the intracerebellar nuclei was compared with the distribution of terminal labelling arising from anterograde transport by cerebellar Purkinje cells. The three paravermal zones displayed marked heterogeneity in their receipt of a projection from the intracerebellar nuclei. The c1 and c3 zones received virtually no such input, although injections in either zone resulted in significant terminal labelling (which was largely restricted to nucleus interpositus anterior). By contrast, the intervening c2 zone received a much heavier nucleocortical input which arose almost exclusively from nucleus interpositus posterior (to which the zone also projected). A sparse contralateral nucleocortical input to the c2 zone was also demonstrated. This arose primarily from nucleus fastigius. It is concluded that the nucleocortical projection to the paravermal cortex of lobule Vb/c displays marked topographical specificity and some functional implications of this are discussed.

Notes: Summary By use of fluorescence immunohistochemistry it is shown that sciatic nerve section in cat and rat induces increased levels of immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in axotomized motoneurons. In the rat, this effect was clearly seen at 2–5 days postoperatively, but could not be demonstrated after 11–21 days. These findings are discussed in relation to previously proposed roles for CGRP in motoneurons.

Notes: Summary Non-linearities of spatial summation were examined in simple cells in the cat's striate cortex. The degree of non-linearity was assessed from an examination of the waveforms of the responses to moving sinusoidal gratings and was quantified by a measure called relative modulation. Relative modulation was affected little by changes in contrast at either optimal or non-optimal spatial frequencies. The non-linearities of spatial summation exhibited by some simple cells are, therefore, essential. Those simple cells which exhibit linear spatial summation are no less linear at high stimulus contrasts. These results support a ‘push-pull’ model of simple cell receptive field organization in which ON and OFF centre l.g.n. input is combined both additively and subtractively.

Notes: Summary The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional significance of similarities observed in the anatomy and the physiology of cat and ferret visual systems. Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) in response to movement of the entire visual field, and optokinetic after nystagmus (OKAN) were measured in 8 ferrets with binocular stimulation. A shift of the beating field in the same direction as the fast phase of eye movements was observed both in ferret and cat. The absence of a fast rise in slow phase velocity (SPV) and similarities in the time constant to reach the steady state OKN gain, using step velocity stimuli are noted. As in the cat, primary OKAN was observed with a gradual decrease in its SPV. Following termination of stimulation, no sudden fall in SPV was noted for either species. However, for the ferret, the decrease was more rapid. With monocular stimulation, small differences were observed in OKN gain when responses to temporonasal and nasotemporal directions of the stimulus were compared in the two species. In contrast, the ferret displays a OKN gain which is approximatively twice that of the cat at stimulus velocities of 100°/sec. Even at 200°/sec., visual movement still induces a discernable OKN response (gain.0.07). Secondary OKAN, always present in the cat, was observed in only 43% of ferret records. Taken together with other considerations, these findings recommend the ferret as an alternative to the cat for the study of OKN and of other visuo-motor capacities in carnivores.

Notes: Summary Transneuronal transport of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase was used to define the location of last order spinal interneurones projecting to deltoideus motoneurones during voluntary target-reaching and/or in unrestricted walking on the ground. Labelled interneurones were found bilaterally from C2 to Th1 in target-reaching cats and almost exclusively in the C5-Th1 segments in walking cats, although the total number of labelled interneurones in these cats was considerably higher than in the target-reaching cats. These results confirm the previous finding that propriospinal neurones in the C3–C4 segments can mediate the descending command for target-reaching movements with the forelimb. In both groups of cats labelled interneurones were found ipsilaterally in laminae V–IX, while contralaterally they were mainly restricted to lamina VIII. In the forelimb segments there was a larger number of labelled interneurones in the walking cats in the lateral part of laminae V–VII and in laminae VIII and IX. There was a positive, almost linear correlation between the total number of labelled interneurones and motoneurones in all cats. The results suggest that both excitatory and inhibitory last order interneurones can be transneuronally labelled. It is concluded that this method can be used for functional identification of last order interneurones active during the preparation and/or execution of different movements.

Notes: Summary In single neurones recorded from the striate cortex of cats anaesthetized with N2O/O2/halothane, receptive field dimensions, length specificity and areal extent of drive were assessed for different classes of visual stimuli. Receptive fields were mapped as rectangular minimum response fields (MRFs). Spatial summation along the axis of preferred orientation was assessed: for moving bars whose length was varied (length summation); and for height variation of a square-wave grating patch against a uniform grey background, or a patch of moving texture against a stationary background of similar texture. In complementary tests a moving square-wave grating background was progressively occluded by a uniform grey foreground mask of variable height; or a mask of stationary texture of variable height progressively occluded a background of moving texture. In parallel measurements, the width of grating or textured patches or masks was varied whilst maintaining height constant. Broadly speaking, the areal influence of each class of stimulus was comparable, and distinct from extra-receptive field phenomena in evoking responses from within the receptive field, but not from surrounding areas. The masking paradigm provided the most sensitive measure of receptive field height and width. However, in some neurones length summation, the degree of endstopping, and the directional bias depended critically on the stimulus configuration used. Length summation tended to be more dramatic for short bars than for gratings. Length summation for texture was significantly more pronounced than for an oriented bar in special and in intermediate complex neurones. By contrast, endstopping was typically less intense for gratings than for bars, and least pronounced for texture. Because of stimulus specificity, complex neurones assigned to particular functional subgroups on the basis of their response to oriented bars may exhibit quite different patterns of behaviour for other classes of stimuli.

Notes: Summary Transneuronal transport of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) was used to define the location of last order spinal interneurones projecting to deltoideus motoneurones in C5–C8 of the cat. Labelled interneurones were found bilaterally from rostral C1 to caudal Th5 and from L3 to the L4/5 border. Ipsilaterally they were located in laminae V–IX, while contralaterally they were confined to lamina VIII except for a few cells in laminae VII and IX. To estimate the degree to which inter-neuronal activity facilitates the transneuronal transport from deltoideus motoneurones, the numbers of labelled interneurones were compared under different experimental conditions after WGA-HRP injection. The number of labelled last order interneurones was larger in one awake and active cat than in one awake but inactive cat and also larger in six anaesthetized animals in which spinal pathways were stimulated to evoke antidromic and synaptic activation of the interneurones, than in two anaesthetized animals without stimulation. It is concluded that the transneuronal transport of WGA-HRP is considerably facilitated by increased activity in the last order interneurones. An overall tendency was observed for a positive correlation between the number of labelled interneurones and the number of primarily stained deltoideus motoneurones. In order to reach a detectable concentration of WGA-HRP in the last order interneurones a certain number of motoneurones has to be labelled to the extent that they appear homogenously black.

Notes: Summary A previously unexploited method of examining neural spike-trains was applied to data obtained from cells in the visual cortex. Distributions of interspike intervals recorded extracellularly from cat visual cortex under four conditions were analyzed. Stimuli were gratings differing in orientation and spatial frequency. The probability density function of first passage time for a random walk with drift process, which is defined by its barrier height and drift coefficient, was used to characterize the generating process of axonal discharge under resting and stimulus conditions. Drift coefficient and barrier height were derived from the sample mean and standard deviation of the measured inter-spike intervals. For cells with simple receptive fields, variations in the drift coefficient were produced by changes in orientation and spatial frequency. Variations in barrier height were produced only by changes in orientation of the stimulus.

Notes: Summary 1. Projections of reticulospinal neurones (RSNs) in the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis (N.r.p.c.) to dorsal neck motoneurones supplying splenius (SPL, lateral head flexor) and biventer cervicis and complexus (BCC, head elevator) muscles were studied in the cat anaesthetized with pentobarbiturate or α-chloralose. 2. Threshold mapping for evoking antidromic spikes revealed that most of RSNs tested projecting down to brachial segments but not to lumbar segments (C-RSNs) gave off collaterals to the gray matter of the upper spinal cord in C2–C3 segments. 3. Spike triggered averaging showed that negative field potentials were evoked after firing of a single C-RSN (single fibre focal synaptic potentials, FSPs) in the region of C2–C3 where large antidromic field potentials from nerves supplying SPL or BCC muscles were evoked. The single fibre FSPs ranged between 1 and 10 μV in amplitude and had latencies between 0.7 and 1.2 ms from the onset of the triggering spike. In most cases, a presynaptic spike preceded the negative potential by 0.3 ms. These results indicated that C-RSNs project to the SPL or BCC motor nucleus. 4. Spike triggered averaging of postsynaptic potentials revealed EPSPs (single fibre EPSPs) in 36 dorsal neck motoneurones, predominantly in SPL (25) and less in BCC (11) motoneurones, evoked from 15 C-RSNs. The amplitude of the single fibre EPSPs ranged from 5 to 310 μV, and had latencies of 0.8–2.0 ms from the onset of the triggering spikes of C-RSNs, or 0.3–0.5 ms from the presynaptic spike when recorded. The results indicated monosynaptic excitatory connexions of C-RSNs to dorsal neck motoneurones. 5. Single fibre EPSPs from a C-RSN were usually recorded from either BCC or SPL motoneurones but not from both types of motoneurones, when tested in many motoneurones. This showed that connexions of C-RSNs with dorsal neck motoneurones were muscle specific. 6. RSNs projecting down to the lumbar segment (L-RSN) also showed branching in C2–C3 segments. Excitatory monosynaptic connexion of L-RSNs with neck motoneurones were demonstrated by recording single fibre postsynaptic population potentials (p.s.p.p.s.) from the C2 ventral root perfused with sucrose. The probability of evoking monosynaptic single fibre p.s.p.p.s. was less (19%) than for C-RSNs (59%).

Notes: Summary We recorded single neuron responses in the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and visual cortex to compound stimuli composed of two sinusoidal gratings in a 2∶1 frequency ratio. To probe visual receptive field symmetry, we varied the relative spatial phase of the two components and measured the effect on neuronal responses. We expected that on-center LGN neurons would respond best to gratings combined in positive cosine (bright bar) phase, while off-center LGN neurons would respond best to gratings combined in negative cosine (dark bar) phase. When drifting stimuli were used, cells' phase preferences were roughly 90 deg away from the expected values; when stationary, contrast-modulated stimuli were used, phase preferences were as originally predicted. Computer simulations showed that this discrepancy could be explained by taking into account the cells' temporal properties. Thus, tests using drifting stimuli confound the spatial structure of visual neural receptive fields with their temporal response characteristics. A small sample of data from cortical neurons reveals the same confound.

Notes: Summary The horizontal optokinetic reflex (OKN) was studied in cat, monkey and man under conditions of steady or stroboscopic illumination. In all species, there was an abrupt decrease in OKN gain for a given spatial displacement of the stimulus between two consecutive stroboscopic flashes. The upper limit of spatial displacement which preserved optimal OKN gain was independent of stimulus velocity and flash frequency. The value of this limit differed in the three species studied. In the cat, OKN gain was affected when the spatial displacement between two stimuli exceeded 0.55° of visual angle. In monkey and man, these limits were 1.48° and 2.87°, respectively. When human subjects were asked to voluntary track the stimulus, the limit value reached 4.3°. This result is discussed in the context of the evolution of the smooth pursuit system and its contribution to optokinetic response.

Notes: Summary Responses of cells in the midsuprasylvian gyrus (MSSG) of cats were investigated following electrical stimulation of the central lateral nucleus (CL) of the thalamus and tooth pulp, low-threshold cutaneous or visual afferents. Electrical stimulation in CL induced excitation in many cells located in cortical areas 5 and 7. Cells in these areas also received input from somato-sensory and visual afferents. Cells in MSSG showed a wide convergence from tooth pulp, low-threshold cutaneous afferents and from the CL. The majority of wide convergent cells in area 5 were found in layers IV and V, while cells excited by CL and tooth pulp were found in layers II and III. Similarities were found between CL and tooth pulp evoked responses with regard to the excitation-inhibition pattern. The excitation evoked from CL and tooth pulp was less often followed by a hyperpolarizing potential compared to that seen after low-threshold lip, paw and visual afferent stimulation. Stimulation sites in the lateral parts of CL-evoked responses with the shortest latencies in area 5. In this part of the cortex, short latency synaptic potentials were found in cells in superficial layers. In the same area, synaptic potentials of short latency were also evoked by electrical stimulation of tooth pulp, lip and paw. Light-flash stimulation evoked responses with the shortest latencies in area 7. The results of this study demonstrate that putative nociceptive information reaches the parietal association cortex and that part of this input may be relayed via CL. We suggest that the excitatory influences of nociceptive and CL stimulation is related to behavioral arousal and attention mechanisms.

Notes: Summary The distributions of five amino acids with well-established neuroexcitatory or neuroinhibitory properties were investigated in the feline vestibular complex. Consecutive semithin sections of plastic-embedded tissue were incubated with antisera raised against protein-glutaraldehyde conjugates of GABA, glycine, aspartate, glutamate and taurine. This approach allowed us to study the relative densities of the different immunoreactivities at the level of individual cell profiles. The results indicate that in the vestibular nuclei, neuronal colocalization of two or more neuroactive amino acids is the rule rather than an exception. Colocalization was found of immunoreactivities for GABA and glycine; glycine, aspartate and glutamate; glycine and aspartate, and glutamate and aspartate. GABA immunoreactive neurons were generally small and were found scattered throughout the vestibular complex. Glycine immunoreactive neurons were similarly distributed, except in the superior nucleus where the latter type of neuron could not be detected. Neuronal profiles colocalizing immunoreactivities for GABA and glycine occurred in all nuclei, but were most numerous in the lateral nucleus. The vast majority of the neurons showed noteworthy staining for glutamate and aspartate, although the level of immunoreactivities varied (e.g., the large neurons in the lateral and descending nuclei were more intensely aspartate immunoreactive than the smaller ones). Taurine-like immunoreactivity did not occur in neuronal cell bodies but appeared in Purkinje cell axons and in glial cell profiles. The functional significance of the complex pattern of amino acid colocalization remains to be clarified. In particular it needs to be distinguished between metabolic and transmitter pools of the different amino acids. The present results call for caution when attempts are made to conclude about transmitter identity on the basis of amino acid contents alone.

Notes: Summary The acuities of cells in the primary visual cortex of five tenotomized strabismic cats were measured. Previous behavioural studies have shown such animals to possess a severe amblyopia of approximately 1.5 octaves of spatial frequency, yet the acuities of both retinal ganglion and lateral geniculate X-cells are normal. The receptive fields of the cortical cells sampled were within 5° of the area centralis projection. On average, the acuities of cortical cells driven by the amblyopic eye were nearly 1 octave less than those for the non-deviating eye. However, the best cell acuities for each eye were nearly the same. The relationship between ocular dominance and cell acuity was found to be different for the two eyes despite a symmetrical ocular dominance distribution. The acuity deficit for cells driven through the amblyopic eye was present at all depths along the electrode tracks. We conclude that in this model amblyopia, the initial spatial processing deficit lies in the visual cortex, and most probably in the cells of layer IV. Further-more, the presence of a few cells driven by the amblyopic eye which can perform nearly as well as those from the fellow eye in processing high spatial frequencies gives new insight into the way in which strabismic and deprivation amblyopias differ.

Notes: Summary A total of 141 pyramidal neurons in the cat primary somatosensory cortex (SI) were recorded intracellularly under Nembutal anesthesia (7 in layer II, 43 in layer III, 8 in layer IV, 58 in layer V and 25 in layer VI). Most neurons were identified by intracellular staining with HRP, though some layer V pyramidal neurons were identified only electrophysiologically with antidromic activation of medullary pyramid (PT) or pontine nuclear (PN) stimulation. Excitatory synaptic potentials (EPSPs) were analyzed with stimulation of the superficial radial nerve (SR), the ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPL) in the thalamus and the thalamic radiation (WM). The pyramidal neurons in layers III and IV received EPSPs at the shortest latency: 9.1±2.1 ms (Mean+S.D.) for SR and 1.6±0.7 ms for VPL stimulation. Layer II pyramidal neurons also responded at a short latency to VPL stimulation (1.7±0.5 ms), though their mean latencies for SR-induced EPSPs were relatively longer (10.6±1.9 ms). The mean latencies were much longer in layers V and VI pyramidal neurons (10.2±2.4 ms and 2.9±1.5 ms in layer V pyramidal neurons and 9.9±2.5 ms and 2.8±1.6 ms in layer VI pyramidal ones, respectively for SR and VPL stimulation). The comparison of the latencies between VPL and WM stimulation indicates that most layer III–IV pyramidal neurons and some pyramidal cells in layers II, V and VI received monosynaptic inputs from VPL. These findings are consistent with morphological data on the laminar distribution of thalamocortical fibers, i.e., thalamocortical fibers terminate mainly in the deeper part of layers III and IV with some collaterals in layers V, VI and II-I. The time-sequences of the latencies of VPL-EPSPs indicate that corticocortical and/or transcallosal neurons (pyramidal neurons in layers II and III) fire first and are followed by firing of the output neurons projecting to the subcortical structures (pyramidal neurons in layers V and VI).

Notes: Summary 1 The pathway mediating disynaptic tectal and pyramidal excitation of hindlimb motoneurons was analyzed in cats anesthetized with αchloralose or pentobarbital. Stimulation of the contralateral tectofugal fibers induced EPSPs in flexor and extensor hindlimb motoneurons (118/171). EPSP latencies, measured from the monosynaptically evoked descending volley, were 0.8 ms or less in 34 of the 118 motoneurons, suggesting disynaptic linkage from the tectum. The latencies tended to be shorter in motoneurons innervating proximal muscles than in those innervating distal muscles. 2. Stimulation of the cerebral peduncle induced EPSPs only in a small proportion of motoneurons (7/32). But the peduncular stimulation exhibited a marked facilitatory effect on the tectal EPSPs in most of the tested motoneurons (23/27), showing convergence of tectal and peduncular inputs onto relay cells. 3. In animals whose pyramid was transected, the tectal EPSPs were still facilitated by peduncular stimulation in 45 of 48 tested motoneurons. The time course of facilitation indicated convergence of tectofugal and corticofugal fibers onto brainstem relay neurons. 4. Projection of single neurons in the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis (NRPC) to the gray matter of the hindlimb segments was examined by mapping thresholds of antidromic activation. Twelve of 13 tested neurons were excited by contralateral tectal stimulation at short latencies, probably monosynaptically. Four of them were found to project to lamina IX. Two of the 3 tested neurons projecting to lamina IX were found to receive excitatory input from the cerebral peduncle. 5. Stimulation of NRPC induced monosynaptic EPSPs in hindlimb motoneurons. In 19 motoneurons, the NRPC-induced monosynaptic EPSPs were facilitated by a conditioning tectal shock. This indicated that the tectal stimulus lowered thresholds of direct activation of cell bodies of premotor NRPC neurons. The time course of the facilitation indicated that the NRPC neurons received monosynaptic tectal excitation. The results provide strong evidence that NRPC neurons are involved in mediating disynaptic tectal excitation of hindlimb motoneurons.

Notes: Summary The representation of the visual field in the 17/18 border region of the cat's visual cortex, and the layout of orientation and ocular dominance columns, were studied by making many closely spaced electrode penetrations into the superficial layers of the flattened dorsal region of the marginal gyrus and recording response properties at each location. The 17/18 border region was defined by measuring the change in the horizontal component of receptive field position within the gyrus: as the position of the recording electrode moved from medial to lateral, the receptive fields moved towards the vertical midline, indicating that the electrode was in area 17; as penetrations were made in increasingly lateral positions, the trend reversed, and receptive field positions moved away from the midline, indicating that the electrode was in area 18. The receptive fields of cells close to the border straddled, or lay within 2°–3° on either side of the vertical midline. In addition, patches of cortex were sometimes encountered in which cells had receptive field centers located up to 7° in the ipsilateral visual field. Experiments in which maps were made in the left and right hemispheres of a single animal showed that these patches had a complementary distribution in the two hemispheres. Cells within the patches behaved as though driven by Y-cell inputs: they usually had large receptive fields and responded to rapidly-moving stimuli. They were broadly tuned for orientation and strongly dominated by the contralateral eye. Fourier spectral analysis of orientation selectivity maps showed that iso-orientation bands had an average spacing of 1.14 ± 0.1 mm and tended to be elongated in a direction orthogonal to the 17/18 border. Individual bands crossed the border without obvious interruption, although singularities (points of discontinuity in the layout of orientations) were more frequently observed in the border region than in adjacent areas. Two dominant periodicities could be measured in the maps of ocular dominance, one at around 0.8 ± 0.2 mm and a second at 2.0 ± 0.3 mm. No constant direction of elongation was noted. These are close to the periods present within areas 17 and 18 respectively.

Notes: Summary Although it has been known for a long time that in awake cats, natural stimulation of the skin induces short latency responses in rubrospinal cells, the pathway possibly involved has been identified only recently (Padel et al. 1988). This tract, which was described in acute, chloralose anaesthetized cats, ascends in the ventromedial spinal cord and is activated via collaterals of primary afferent fibres running in the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. The present study demonstrates that this newly described spino-rubral tract is able to send detailed somaesthetic information to the red nucleus. After lesions leaving intact only the spino-rubral pathway, excitatory and inhibitory responses to natural peripheral stimulations were recorded in identified rubral efferent cells. The most effective stimuli were touching the skin, passive joint rotation and hair displacement. Each cell was found to possess a particular receptive field. These fields which could be ipsi-, contra-, or bi-lateral were generally located on a single limb, although they could include two or more limbs, or even exceptionally the whole body with or without preferential zones. The topographic organization of receptive fields was arranged somatotopically in the red nucleus and overlapped the motor representation. The somaesthetic inputs transmitted through the spino-rubral pathway to the red nucleus are very similar to those previously observed in the intact cat, which supports the idea that this pathway may play a functional role in motor control. The spino-rubro-spinal loop may provide a fast adaptation of the descending motor command, thus producing a fine and harmonious tuning between the changing surroundings and the animal's movements.

Notes: Summary To determine speed-related changes in hindlimb motion that might account for the mutability of bifunctional (hip extensor/knee flexor) muscle activity during the E1 phase of swing, we studied hip and knee joint kinematics and kinetics during swing over a ten-fold increase in locomotor speed (0.35 to 3.5 m/s). Three cats were filmed (100 frames/s) while locomoting on a motorized treadmill; kinematics were analyzed for the entire step cycle and kinetics for the swing phase. During swing, angular excursions at the hip and knee joints were similar for walking and trotting, but hip flexion and extension were significantly less after the transition from trot to gallop, while knee-angle range of motion increased during gallop phases E1, E2, and E3. During swing, knee-extension velocity peaked early in E1 and increased linearly with speed, while hip-flexion velocity peaked late in the flexion (F) phase and also increased linearly, but decreased precipitously at the trotgallop transition and remained constant as speed of galloping increased. Muscle torque directions during E1, flexor at the knee and extensor at the hip, were consistent with the proposed role of bifunctional posterior thigh muscles to decelerate thigh and leg segments for paw contact. At the knee joint, muscle torque during E1 counteracted a large interactive torque due to leg angular acceleration; the magnitudes of both torques were speed related with maximal values at the fastest speed tested (3.5 m/s). At the hip joint, muscle torque during E1 also counteracted a large interactive torque due to leg angular acceleration; the magnitudes of these two torques were speed related during the walk and trot, and like hip flexion velocity, decreased at the trot-gallop transition. Our data on speed-related changes in hindlimb dynamics suggest that the E1 burst amplitude (and perhaps duration) of posterior thigh muscles will be speed related during the walk and trot. After the trot-gallop transition at about 2.5 m/s, the recruitment of these bifunctional muscles may decline due to the changes in hindlimb dynamics. Because activity of these muscles counteracts interactive torques primarily related to leg angular acceleration, we suggest that motion-related feedback decoding this action may be important for regulating recruitment during E1.

Notes: Summary The effects of unilateral lesions of the deep cerebellar nuclei on the corticocortical (CC) projection from the somatosensory to the motor cortex were studied in adult cats, utilizing electrophysiological and electron microscopical methods. Axon terminals in the motor cortex belonging to CC afferents were labeled by degeneration induced by lesions of the somatosensory cortex; neurons in the motor cortex were labeled by the Golgi/EM method. In each cat, data from the motor cortex (MCx) contralateral (experimental) and ipsilateral (control) to the cerebellar lesion were compared. Cerebellar lesions produced marked motor deficits, which receded gradually and disappeared after 30 to 40 days. Subsequent lesions of the somatosensory cortex (area 2) contralateral to the cerebellar lesions resulted in the reappearance of the cerebellar symptoms. The number of CC synapses per unit area in experimental MCx was significantly higher than in control MCx. The increase in the number of CC synapses was apparent throughout layers II–V of the MCx, but was most prominent in layers II/III. The increase in the number of CC synapses in experimental MCx was due mainly to an increase of axon terminals synapsing with dendritic spines belonging to pyramidal neurons. In comparison, the numbers and spatial distribution of CC synapses with aspinous, nonpyramidal neurons from both experimental and control MCx were similar. Field potentials in the experimental MCx, evoked by stimulation of area 2, were altered following cerebellar lesions. In experimental MCx, the polarity of the early component of the field potentials reversed at cortical depths corresponding to layers II–III, whereas this reversal was not observed in control MCx. These findings suggest that lesions of the cerebellar nuclei induced sprouting of axon terminals in the MCx to establish a new function. The results provide the first anatomical evidence for the generation of new synapses in the adult CNS which is not induced by elimination of existing synapses.

Notes: Summary Purkinje cells in zones a and b of the vermis and zone c in the intermediate cortex of the anterior lobe were intracellularly injected with horseradish peroxidase and the distribution patterns of the varicosities present on their axonal collaterals were quantified and compared at the light microscopic level. The data derived from this study reveal that each individual axonal arbor had a unique pattern of distribution. However, certain principles of distribution could be applied to the collaterals regardless of the cortical location of the parent cell, including the following: 1) the total number of varicosities derived from the axonal collaterals of individual Purkinje cells is relatively uniform; 2) the collateral plexi have a greater extent in the sagittal plane as compared to the transverse plane; 3) the majority of varicosities remain within 200–300 μm of the parent cell in both the sagittal and transverse planes; 4) there is a heterogenous distribution of varicosities within the area traversed by the axonal branches; and 5) the majority of varicosities are located within the Purkinje cell layer. Although there were similarities in the pattern of distribution for collaterals, there were also variations which distinguished the plexi in the three zones. The collaterals of zone a cells tended to be the most confined in both the sagittal and transverse planes. In contrast, several cells in zone b and c had branches that extended for relatively long distances in the sagittal plane. In zone b the collaterals have an asymmetric distribution around the cell of origin in the transverse plane. In zones a and c there is a tendency for a more symmetric pattern of distribution in this plane. The similarities in the number and laminar distribution of varicosities, as well as the predominantly sagittal orientation of the collaterals in all zones of the cerebellar cortex suggest that the collaterals subserve a common function throughout the cerebellar cortex. However, variations indicate that there may be subtle differences in the way recurrent collaterals process information in the cerebellar cortex that may be related to the functional heterogeneity or the location of the targets of the collaterals in the three zones analyzed.

Notes: Summary Dorsal neck motoneurones receive disynaptic tectal and pyramidal EPSPs via common reticulospinal neurones (RSNs). This study was aimed at identification of the RSNs projecting directly to neck motoneurones and mediating these EPSPs. 1. Stimulation of the tectum and the cerebral peduncle evoked monosynaptic descending volleys in the spinal cord, which were chiefly mediated by reticulospinal neurones in the pons and the medulla. Systematic tracking of the C3 and C7 segments was made to locate descending volleys in the spinal funiculi. The tectal monosynaptic volley was largest in the medial part of the ventral funiculus and decreased gradually as the recording electrode was moved to the lateral part of the ventral funiculus and the lateral funiculus. In contrast, the peduncle-evoked monosynaptic volley was distributed rather evenly in the ventral funiculus and the ventral half of the lateral funiculus. 2. Differences in funicular distribution of the two descending volleys suggest the existence of subgroups of RSNs which differed in strength of inputs from the two descending fibre systems and in the funicular location of descending axons. 3. The RSNs were classified into the following four groups; (1) mRSNs which descended in the medial part of the ventral funiculus, (2) in RSNs which descended in the ventrolateral funiculus, (3) 1RSNs which descended in the dorsal 2/3 of the lateral funiculus and (4) coRSNs which descended in the contralateral funiculi. The mRSNs were located in a fairly localized region corresponding to the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis (N.r.p.c.), while inRSNs, 1RSNs and coRSNs were mainly in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (N.r.g.), in the nucleus reticularis magnocellularis (N.r.m.) and in the nucleus reticularis ventralis (N.r.v.). RSNs were further divided into three types depending on the levels of projection. L-RSNs projected to the lumbar spinal segments. C-RSNs descended to the C6–C7 spinal segment but not to the lumbar segments. N-RSNs projected to the C3 but not to the C6–C7 segments. 4. Stimulation of the tectum and the cerebral peduncle produced monosynaptic negative field potentials in the medial two thirds of the reticular formation in the pons and medulla. Tectal field potentials were largest in the N.r.p.c. and the rostral part of the N.r.g., while pyramidal field potentials were largest in the N.r.g. Correspondingly, RSNs in the N.r.p.c. (mRSNs) received larger monosynaptic EPSPs from tectal than from pyramidal volleys, while RSNs in the N.r.g. (in-, 1- and coRSNs) received stronger input from the peduncle than from the tectum. 5. Stimulation of the C7 ventral but not the lateral funiculus evoked monosynaptic EPSPs on all the dorsal neck motoneurones tested. Stimulation of the L1 segment only produced monosynaptic EPSPs in 35% of the motoneurones. The L1 evoked EPSPs were much smaller than C7 evoked EPSPs. 6. The C7 evoked EPSPs (C7 EPSP) showed complete occlusion (collision) with the tectal or pyramidal disynaptic EPSPs. Similar results were obtained with L1 EPSPs. These results indicate that tectal and pyramidal disynaptic EPSPs in dorsal neck motoneurones were mediated chiefly by C-mRSNs and C-inRSNs and partly by L-RSNs.

Notes: Summary A total of 783 cells were studied extracellularly in anterior (A10–13), posterior (A4–8), and intermediate regions (A8. 1–9.9) of Clare-Bishop (CB) cortex of the cat, which were defined according to the anteroposterior coordinate of the stereotaxic axis and probably corresponded to the antero- (AMLS), postero-medial lateral suprasylvian cortex (PMLS), and the border region between the two subareas, respectively. The study was conducted under N2O anesthesia supplemented with continuous infusion of short-lasting anesthetics (Saffan, Glaxo or Etomidate, Janssen), using three types of visual stimulators presenting two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) motion stimuli, and visual cues contained in the 3D motion. Neuronal responsiveness was essentially similar between the anterior and posterior CB subdivisions. Both areas contained 1) AP, 2) RC and 3) FP cells, selectively responsive to approaching, recessive and fronto-parallel motion, and 4) NS and 5) U cells, nonselectively responsive and unresponsive to any of these motions. However, a quantitative difference was found: 1) In the posterior CB the FP cell population was the largest, and the frequency reduced in the order of AP, NS, RC and U cells, while the largest population in the anterior CB consisted of the AP and U cells, and the frequency reduced in the order of FP, RC and NS cells. 2) 3D (AP and RC) cells in the posterior CB responded preferentially to approaching motion at a distal range, while those in the anterior CB preferred motion at a proximal range. 3) The 3D cells in the posterior CB were more sensitive to the motion cue and demonstrated lower thresholds for the size cue than the anterior CB cells. 4) The anterior CB cells generally demonstrated high-pass velocity tuning (cut-off around 10°/s) for monocular 2D stimulation, while the posterior CB cells demonstrated a broad band-pass tuning (4–120°/s). These findings suggest functional differentiation in neuronal representation of 3D motion signals between the two subdivisions of CB cortex.

Notes: Summary Excitatory inputs to neurons in the Forel's field H (FFH) related to visually induced vertical saccades from the ipsilateral superior colliculus (SC) were investigated in chronically prepared alert cats. By stimulation of the deep or intermediate layer of the SC, upward augmenting neurons (ANs) and one long-lead downward burst neuron (BN) were found to be activated monosynaptically, while medium-lead BNs were activated disynaptically. The monosynaptically activated neurons were not antidromically activated from the oculomotor nucleus, whereas disynaptically activated neurons were also activated antidromically from the inferior rectus subdivision of the nucleus. These results suggest that an excitatory input to the FFH from the SC for inducing vertical saccades of visual origin first reaches upward ANs and/or long-lead downward BNs in the FFH, which in turn drive medium-lead BNs in the same area synapsing with motoneurons related to vertical eye movements.

Notes: Summary The existence of Golgi type II neurons was verified in the anterior intralaminar central lateral (CL) nucleus of the cat thalamus, and its projection cell types were identified, by means of Golgi impregnation. CL principal neurons were found to display a large- or medium-sized cell body and a radiate dendritic pattern. Their primary dendrites were limited in number, and had a rather long course; they were poorly ramified. The axons of principal neurons were impregnated only occasionally and for a short distance. Projection neurons of the ‘bushy’ or tufted type, described in the main thalamic sensory nuclei, were not identified in the CL in the present study. Typical Golgi type II neurons were found throughout CL. They were mainly small-sized, and displayed a rich dendritic arborization characterized by dendritic appendages. The axons of Golgi type II neurons were seen to give rise to extensive local arborizations. The present findings indicate that in the cat CL, principal cells are mainly represented by radiate neurons. Typical local circuit neurons also are evident in CL, suggesting that the activity of anterior intralaminar structures is regulated by intrinsic mechanisms similar to those operating in the main thalamic relay nuclei.

Notes: Summary Interneurons in the Red Nucleus (RN) are known to be under cortical control and to exert an inhibitory action, mediated by GABAergic mechanisms, on the main output towards the spinal cord. The effects of discrete injections of a GABA receptor agonist (muscimol) or an antagonist (bicuculline) in the Red Nucleus were tested on a motor task performed by seven cats. The subjects were trained to release a lever with a flexion movement of the forelimb controlled by a reaction time (RT) paradigm. Muscimol as well as bicuculline increased RTs in a dose-dependent manner at doses below 100 ng. However the parameters of the force exerted on the lever were differentially altered by the two drugs. Muscimol increased RTs by slowing down the force change preceding movement as well as slightly delaying its latency. While bicuculline increased drastically the force change latency. It could also speed up the force change velocity for low doses. At higher doses (up to 500 ng) both drugs produced an arrest of the performance either associated with anxiety signs (bicuculline) or dystonic movements of the head followed by body rotations (muscimol). The strong motor impairments as well as the disruption of the conditioned performances following muscimol or bicuculline microinjection in the RN suggest an important functional role for GABAergic interneurons. Under the control of cortical afferences they can modulate rubrospinal activity and participate in the triggering of a conditioned movement.

Notes: Summary Responses of secondary endings of muscle spindles of the peroneus tertius muscle of the anaesthetized cat have been recorded during repetitive stimulation of functionally single fusimotor fibres that produced slowing of the discharge. In a sample of 125 pairs of single fusimotor fibres and secondary spindle afferents 5 examples of slowing were seen. The amount of slowing became less at longer muscle lengths. Conditioning the spindle by stimulating the muscle nerve at fusimotor strength, at a length 2.5 mm longer than the test length, and then returning to the test length 3 seconds later led to a greater degree of slowing of the discharge than after conditioning stimulation at the test length. With one exception, responses to muscle stretch were reduced during stimulation of a fusimotor fibre that produced slowing. On two occasions stimulating a fusimotor fibre that produced slowing of the response of one secondary ending, led to excitation of two other endings. Two possible explanations for the generation of slowing responses have been considered. The first is that the slowing is the result of contraction of the region of intrafusal fibre directly underlying the secondary sensory ending. The second, which we favour since it accounts for the facts more adequately, is that slowing is the result of shortening of the region of nuclear chain fibres on which the sensory ending lies, produced by movement in an adjacent nuclear bag fibre.

Notes: Summary We investigated the contributions of lateral intracortical connections to the orientation tuning of area 17 cells using micro-iontophoresis of the inhibitory transmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to inactivate small cortical sites in the vicinity of a recorded cell. GABA was ejected from an array of micropipettes each with an average horizontal distance of 500 μm from the recording site. Of 54 cells tested, 33 showed a reduction and 3 a loss of orientation selectivity due to an increase in responses to non-optimal orientations during GABA inactivation. The response to the optimal orientation remained constant in more than half of the cells and increased or decreased in others. Given that a complete cycle of orientations occupies a tangential distance of 1000 μm, the observed broadening of orientation tuning is presumably due to GABA-mediated inactivation of inhibitory interneurones with different preferred orientations from those of their target cell.

Notes: Summary Extracellular recordings were made in the thalamus of cats anaesthetized with chloralose and urethane following electrical, mechanical and chemical stimulation of the superior sagittal sinus or middle meningeal artery. Facial receptive fields were looked for using electrical and mechanical stimuli. The locations of fifty-six cells were verified histologically. Twenty six cells were located in the ventroposteromedial nucleus (VPM) and six in its ventral periphery (VPMvp). All units in VPM had facial receptive fields, usually involving the first trigeminal division. Cells with nociceptive receptive fields or responding to the craniovascular application of bradykinin were often found in the periphery or “shell” region of VPM. Other craniovascular nociceptive cells were found in VPMvp, in the posterior group and in the intralaminar complex. This study shows that craniovascular afferents in the cat project to several thalamic nuclei and implicate VPM especially in craniovascular nociception.

Notes: Summary We obtained good intracellular recording from 5 W cells in the C-laminae of the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus. The recordings were made from an anesthetized and paralyzed in vivo preparation. We found a consistent pattern for the postsynaptic potentials evoked from activation of the optic chiasm: first was an IPSP followed by an EPSP. This is very different from the pattern seen in X and Y cells, for which an EPSP always appears first and is then followed by an IPSP. We interpret the pattern for W cells as follows. The initial IPSP is disynaptic; this involves retinogeniculate conduction over very fast Y axons and a relay through an interneuron. The EPSP is monosynaptic, reflecting retinogeniculate conduction over very slow W axons. A possible implication for this is that activity over the Y pathway may generally inhibit geniculate W cells before these W cells can be excited by their retinal afferents. Finally, we elicited from each of these W cells voltage-dependent, low threshold spikes, which are very similar to those displayed by X and Y cells. These spikes can interrupt normal retinogeniculate transmission, and they are prevented by maintaining relatively depolarized membrane potentials.

Notes: Summary In one medial gastrocnemius muscle of each of several cats, the response was recorded of a single tendon organ to the contraction of a single motor unit which strongly excited the receptor. The motor unit was depleted of its glycogen and the depleted muscle fibres identified in PAS-stained transverse sections. The site of maximum tendon organ sensitivity was marked and the tendon organ identified in the same sections. Five pairs of tendon organs and motor units were studied completely. Each tendon organ was found to have one or two (mean 1.6) depleted muscle fibres attached to it, included in the bundle of fibres attached to the end (mean no. 14.4) and side (mean no. 5.6) of the tendon organ. A correlation was found between tendon organ discharge rate and the tension calculated from cross-sectional area measurements of the depleted muscle fibres attached to the tendon organ, with variation between individual pairs of tendon organs and motor units. One estimate of the average sensitivity of the sample was 28 imp/s/mN. A nearly linear discharge rate vs. tension relation was found for single tendon organ and motor unit pairs when tension was graded during a series of fatiguing contractions. Under these conditions the sensitivity, measured as the slope of the relation between discharge rate and motor unit tension recorded at the common tendon, varied between 0.11 and 0.30 imp/s/mN for 6 pairs.

Notes: Abstract Electromyographic activity of dorsal neck muscles and neck torques was recorded to study vestibulocollic, cervicocollic, and combined reflexes in alert and decerebrate cats during rotations of the whole body, the body except for the head, and the head but not the rest of the body. Cats were rotated about many axes that lay in the frontal, sagittal, and horizontal planes using sinusoidal 0.25-Hz waveforms or sum-of-sinusoid waveforms. Robust electromyographic responses were recorded from six muscles, with response directionality that in most cases did not show strong dependence on the reflex tested or on other factors including exact neck angle, stimulus amplitude from 5° to 60°, and intact versus decerebrate state. Based on the strength of responses to rotations about all the tested axes, neck muscles could be characterized by maximal activation direction vectors representing the axis and direction of rotation in threedimensional space that was most excitatory during reflex responses. Responses to rotations about axes that lay in a coordinate plane were predicted by a cosine function of the angle between the axis under test and the maximally excitatory axis in the plane. All muscles were excited by the nose down phase of pitch rotation and by yaw and roll away from the side on which the muscle lay. Biventer cervicis was best activated by rotations with axes near nose-down pitch, and its axis of maximal activation also had small, approximately equal components of yaw and roll toward the contralateral side. Complexus was best excited by rotations with axes nearest roll, but with large components along all three axes. Occipitoscapularis was best excited by rotations about axes near pitch, but with a moderately large contralateral yaw component and a smaller but significant contralateral roll component. Splenius was best excited by rotations with a large component of contralateral yaw, considerable nose-down pitch, and a smaller component of contralateral roll. Rectus major was best excited by rotations near nose-down pitch, but with a substantial contralateral yaw component and smaller contralateral roll component. Obliquus inferior was best excited by rotations with a large component of contralateral yaw, but with considerable contralateral roll and nose-down pitch components. All muscles responded as though they received convergent input from all three semicircular canals. Vestibulocollic and combined reflex responses in alert cats and vestibulocollic, cervicocollic, and combined responses in decerebrate cats appeared to have the same directionality, as evidenced by insignificant shifts in maximal activation vectors. Cervicocollic responses in alert cats were inconsistent and often absent, but appeared upon decerebration, suggesting that higher centers suppress the cervicocollic reflex in intact animals. Decerebration and partial cerebellectomy had no significant effect on maximal activation directions, although electromyographic response magnitudes increased after each. The results suggest that common circuits or strategies are used by neck stretch and vestibular-neck reflexes. The reflex excitation directions do not match the mechanical actions of the neck muscles but agree fairly well with previously published predictions of a mathematical model of neck motor control.

Notes: Abstract Tianeptine, an antidepressant substance devoid of sedative action, was investigated for its effects on focalization of attention in cats, using combined behavioural and electrocorticographic (ECoG) observations. The ECoG index was the presence of 40 Hz frontoparietal rhythmic cortical activities, developing while the animal displayed a behaviour suggesting focused attention. Cats were observed in two conditions: a “neutral” one, with no specific target, and another one, “of focused attention” where a live mouse placed in a transparent box was present in the recording room, each test lasting for 90 min. After treatment the animals displayed increased attention even in the neutral situation, where the cat, instead of sleeping like during control sessions, payed sustained attention to its environment. Conversely, at corresponding doses, amitriptyline, another antidepressant drug chosen as a reference, induced uninterrupted slow sleep even in the situation of focused attention.

Notes: Abstract Single-electrode voltage-clamp techniques were used to examine membrane currents recorded as a result of hyperpolarizing pre-pulses in cat bladder parasympathetic neurones. In 84 ganglion cells examined, two types of current were observed in response to hyperpolarizing pre-pulses of 10 ms to 1 s duration from holding potentials of −30 to −60 mV to test potentials of −90 to −130 mV. In 46 cells, a short-duration pulse induced a slow inward current (SIC); with longer pulse durations, an outward current was superimposed on the SIC, resulting in a late slow outward current (LSOC). In the remaining cells, either a SIC (n=12) or an LSOC (n=26) was recorded over a range of hyperpolarizing pre-pulse durations. The more depolarized the holding potential, the more hyperpolarized the test potential and the longer the pulse duration, the larger the amplitude of the SIC and LSOC. The SIC and LSOC were associated with an increase in input conductance. The extrapolated reversal potential (V rev) for the LSOC obtained at a holding potential of −60 mV (where the LSOC seemed to be less contaminated with the SIC) was −89±4 mV (mean ± standard error of the mean; n=5), which is close to the equilibrium potential for the K ion. The LSOC was depressed by a high-K (10–20 mM) solution and potentiated by a low-K (0.47 mM) solution. The SIC was depressed by a low-Na (26.2 mM) solution, but was not affected significantly by a low-Cl (12.2 mM) solution. A low-Ca (0.1 mM)/high-Mg (5 mM) solution depressed the LSOC, while a high-Ca (5 mM) solution potentiated it. Cd (0.5 mM) blocked the SIC almost completely, and suppressed the LSOC. The LSOC but not the SIC was suppressed by tetraethylammonium chloride (10 mM). Superfusing Cs (3 mM) did not affect either the LSOC or the SIC. 4-Aminopyridine (1 mM) and muscarine (10 μM) depressed or replaced the SIC with an outward current, while potentiating the LSOC. These results suggest that a hyperpolarizing pre-pulse induces slow inward Na- and late slow outward Ca-dependent K currents, which are inactivated at depolarized potentials and are de-inactivated by hyperpolarizing pulses in a time-dependent manner.

Notes: Summary The occurrence of neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) in the sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation of the nasal mucosa was studied in various species including man. A dense network of NPY-immunoreactive (IR) fibres was present around arteries and arterioles in the nasal mucosa of all species studied. NPY was also located in nerves around seromucous glands in pig and guinea-pig, but not in rat, cat and man. The NPY-IR glandular innervation corresponded to about 20% of the NPY content of the nasal mucosa as revealed by remaining NPY content determined by radioimmunoassay after sympathectomy. These periglandular NPY-positive fibres had a distribution similar to the VIP-IR and PHI-IR nerves but not to the noradrenergic markers tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH). The NPY nerves around glands and some perivascular fibres were not influenced by sympathectomy and probably originated in the sphenopalatine ganglion where NPY-IR and VIP-IR ganglion cells were present. The venous sinusoids were innervated by NPY-positive fibres in all species except the cat. Dense NPY and DBH-positive innervation was seen around thick-walled vessels in the pig nasal mucosa; the latter may represent arterio-venous shunts. Double-labelling experiments using TH and DBH, and surgical sympathectomy revealed that the majority of NPY-IR fibres around blood vessels were probably noradrenergic. The NPY-positive perivascular nerves that remained after sympathectomy in the pig nasal mucosa also contained VIP/PHI-IR. The major nasal blood vessels, i.e. sphenopalatine artery and vein, were also densely innervated by NPY-IR fibres of sympathetic origin. Perivascular VIP-IR fibres were present around small arteries, arterioles, venous sinusoids and arterio-venous shunt vessels of the nasal mucosa whereas major nasal vessels received only single VIP-positive nerves. The trigeminal ganglion of the species studied contained only single TH-IR or VIP-IR but no NPY-positive ganglion cells. It is concluded that NPY in the nasal mucosa is mainly present in perivascular nerves of sympathetic origin. In some species, such as pig, glandular and perivascular parasympathetic nerves, probably of VIP/PHI nature, also contain NPY.

Notes: During postnatal development of the pigeon, a large portion of the skeleton becomes pneumatized, displacing the hemopoietic bone marrow. The consequences of pneumatization on distribution and quantity of bone marrow as well as the availability of other sites for hemopoiesis have been investigated. Hemopoietic marrow of differently aged pigeons divided into five groups from 1 week posthatching (p.h.) up to 6 months p.h. was labeled with Fe-59 and examined by serial whole-body sections. Autoradiography and morphometry as well as scintillation counts of single bones and organs were also carried out. No sign of a reactivation of embryonic sites of erythropoiesis was found. Bone marrow weight and its proportion of whole-body weight increased during the first 4 weeks p.h. from 0.54% to 2.44% and decreased in the following months to about 1.0%. The developing bone marrow showed a progressive distribution during the first months of life, eventually being distributed proportionally over the entire skeleton, except for the skull. At the age of 6 months p.h. bone marrow had been displaced, its volume decreasing in correlation to increasing pneumaticity and conversion to fatty marrow. This generates the characteristic pattern of bone marrow distribution in adult pigeons, which shows hemopoietic bone marrow in ulna, radius, femur, tibiotarsus, scapula, furcula, and the caudal vertebrae.

Notes: Artificially incubated fertile eggs from wild alligators have a significantly better hatch rate than those of captive, pen-reared alligators, possibly due to differences in the morphology of the eggshells. We compared the morphology of eggshells of wild alligators to those of captive alligators living in semi-natural environmental pens. Lengths and widths of eggs were measured and volume was determined, assuming an ellipsoid shape. Eggs were also evaluated for the quality of the eggshell (the presence or absence of rough deposits). Pieces of shell were cut from unincubated eggs and from eggs incubated for 55 days (just before hatching) and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Open pores on the outer surface of the shells were counted and thickness of the pieces was measured from micrographs. Results indicated that the number of pores on eggshells was lowest in eggs of captive alligators with early embryonic death. The number of pores was intermediate in eggs with early embryonic death from wild alligators, and the number of pores was highest in eggs with full-term embryos from wild or captive alligators. It is suggested that decreased porosity of eggshells may be associated with early embryonic death, is more prevalent in captive animals, and may, therefore, be related to poor hatch rate among penreared alligators.

Notes: Adult hornets (Vespa orientalis; Hymenoptera, Vespinae) build the brood combs out of organic or mineral matter. The cement that serves to glue the building material together is secreted in their saliva, the latter hardening within seconds to form fibers or plates. This saliva-derived spittle overlies and unites the building particles laminally and vertically. The hornet larvae spin a cocoon within the brood cells, which is largely fastened to and supported by the cell walls and is composed of a network of silk fibers and interlinking flat surfaces. On the outside of the cocoon fibers are spherical button-like structures that are very rich in phosphorus. The chemical composition of the adult salivary cement and the larval cocoon fibers is similar: both contain the elements P, Mg, S, Cl, K, and Ca. The possible biological significance of these findings is discussed.Among social insects belonging to the Hymenoptera, there are three main groups that build a multitude of cells, namely, the paper wasps (Polistinae), the other social wasps or hornets (Vespinae), and the social bees (Apinae). The constructed cells serve mainly for rearing the brood, but in many instances (particularly among various Apinae) they also serve for storing honey and pollen. For building material, Apinae rely primarily on beeswax (a product secreted by the bee itself to which various amounts of plant resins are added). On the other hand, wasps (Polistinae and Vespinae) build mainly from matter collected in the nearby environment, be it organic matter such as tree bark, mineral matter, or a combination of the two.Much information has accumulated on comb and cell building among these insect groups (e.g., Wheeler, '23; Van der Vecht, '57, '65; Lindauer, '61; Michener, '61; Kemper and Döhring, '67; Wilson, '71; Guiglia, '72; Spradbery, '73; Edwards, '80; Brian, '83; Schremmer et al., '85). Species of Polistinae and Vespinae are prevalent in forest areas in Southeast Asia and in central and South America or in the temperate regions in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and they mainly use vegetable matter to build their combs. In contrast, species prevalent in the Mediterranean region, which is dry and relatively unvegetated during the wasp and hornet active season, rely more on nearby mineral than on plant matter. Comb building in the Oriental hornet is well known (Darchen, '64; Ishay et al., '67; Schaudinischky and Ishay, '68; Ishay, '73, '75a, b, '76; Ishay and Sadeh, '75, '76; Ishay and Perna, '79; Ishay et al., '82). Recently Ganor et al. ('86) described the cell wall in the V. orientalis comb, showing it to be composed of mineral particles collected near the subterranean nest, in contrast to the comb of two European species (V. crabro and Vespula) (Paravespula) germanica, which is built primarily of organic matter. Regardless of whether the building material is mineral or organic, the hornets utilize particles of sand or other minerals or pieces of wood wrapped and melded together by saliva. However, nothing is known about the cement or mortar used to glue together these “bricks.” The present investigation was initiated to increase our knowledge of this cementing substance.Combs of V. orientalis were collected from fields in the Tel-Aviv district in 1987 during the active season, which extends over most of the summer months. Because the combs are easily damaged, care was taken to remove them intact from the natural nest. Once removed, the combs were cleared of the existing brood (eggs, larvae, or pupae) and then stored carefully in dry glass vessels until examined. For the present study, combs were collected only from nests in Khamra soil, which is common in the Tel-Aviv district and along the coastal area of Israel. To investigate the morphology of the cement material in the comb, strips of comb wall as well as segments of the pupal silk dome were removed from each comb and prepared for examination. The comb wall strips were cut to a size of 3 × 6 mm and fastened to the stub of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The silk pieces were processed in two ways: (1)strips of 3 × 4 mm were fastened onto a stub with the convex (outer surface) facing up or (2) with the concave (interior) side upward.Silk strips were boiled for 2 hours in distilled water to remove all impurities, such as foreign matter adhering to the silk secreted by the larvae. Examination of these silk fibres was carried out in the three ways: (1)SEM micrography of the exterior (white portion) of the silk dome; (2) micrography of the interior; (3) micrography of both exterior and interior aspects after boiling for 2 hours in distilled water to remove water-suspended foreign materials that may have clung to the silk dome in the course of ordinary nest activity.The chemical composition of selected specimens was investigated by x-ray analysis. They were done on JEOL 840 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with Link 10,000 Energy-Dispersive System (EDS). (With the EDS System, the spectrometer separates the elements according to energy rather than wavelength). Quantitative analysis was by ZAF4 program. Five strips of comb cell wall were examined from a randomly selected comb, each comb from a different nest. Micrographs were taken of isolated silk samples from each of the examined combs.

Notes: Dissections were performed to document buccal anatomy in three species of the pulmonate genus Helisoma Swainson, 1840. The 28 muscles which are responsible for radular feeding in these animals are organized in three concentric and integrated envelopes. The deepest of these includes muscles which manipulate the radula about the odontophoral cartilage. Elements of the middle envelope direct movements of the cartilage within the buccal cavity, and muscles of the outer envelope control movements of the buccal mass within the cephalic haemocoel. Motion analysis by videomicrography showed that muscles of the middle and outer envelopes contribute to the action of radular feeding by acting as antagonists to other muscles and to hydrostatic elements of the buccal apparatus. Observations of radular dentition showed that although each of the three species examined has a unique radula, especially with regard to the specific details of tooth shape, all resemble a radula characteristic of the Planorbidae with regard to other, more general, aspects of ribbon architecture.

Notes: Crocodilians and birds are the extant representatives of a monophyletic taxon known as archosaurs. Their limbs are highly derived in terms of reduction in number of skeletal elements in both the carpus and the tarsus. It is necessary to have a detailed description of crocodilian limb ontogeny to address the evolutionary issue dealing with the origin and organization of the avian limb. In this paper, we present an analysis of the early development of the crocodilian limb skeleton. Contrasting with earlier observations, we redefine the number and composition of carpal, tarsal, and phalangeal elements. This ontogenetic information is then used to introduce a revision of the homologies of the skeletal elements in the crocodilian limb. Some invariances are pointed out in the developmental organization of tetrapod limbs and this evidence serves to readdress several issues concerning the evolution of the avian limb. We present further embryological data in support of the hypothesis that digits 2-3-4 are the components of the wing skeleton in birds. In general, our comparative survey indicates that the elements that appear late in ontogeny are the ones lost in phylogeny. By comparing turtle (primitive) limb development with crocodilian and bird development, we propose a hypothesis in which the derived skeletal patterns found in crocodilians and birds have originated by a heterochronic process of paedomorphosis.

Notes: A unique pathway that utilizes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) networks is proposed for screening pigment granule formation in the retina of adult Eumesosoma roeweri. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) functions to transport pigment particles to the formative site. Each site is composed of concentric, interconnected rings of SER that are filled with dense-cored, spherical pigment particles. Formation of the screening pigment granule begins by the release of particles from the innermost rings of carrier SER. Continued release followed by fusion and condensation of the pigment particles results in the formation of a mature pigment granule.

Notes: Light and scanning electron microscopy of vascular replicas from the facultative air-breathing fish Heteropneustes fossilis show modifications in the macrocirculation of the respiratory organs and systemic circulation, whereas, gill microcirculation is similar to that found in typical water-breathing fish. Three and sometimes four ventral aortae arise directly from the bulbus. The most ventral vessel supplies the first pair of arches. Dorsal to this another aorta supplies the second gill arches, and a third, dorsal to, and larger than the other two, supplies the third and fourth arches and the air sacs. Occasionally a small vessel that may be the remnant of a primitive aortic arch arises from the first ventral aorta and proceeds directly to the mandibular region without perfusing gill tissue. The air sac is perfused by a large-diameter extension of the afferent branchial artery of the fourth gill arch and its circulation is in parallel with the gill arches. Blood drains from the air sac into the fourth arch epibranchial artery. A number of arteries also provide direct communication between the efferent air sac artery and the dorsal aorta. All four gill arches are well developed and contain respiratory (lamellar) and nonrespiratory (interlamellar and nutrient) networks common to gills of water-breathing fish. Air sac lamellae are reduced in size. The outer 30% of the air sac lamellar sinusoids are organized into thoroughfare channels; the remaining vasculature, normally embedded in the air sac parenchyma, is discontinuous. A gill-type interlamellar vasculature is lacking in the air sac circulation. Despite the elaborate development of the ventral aortae, there is little other anatomical evidence to suggest that gill and air sac outflow are separated and that dorsal aortic oxygen tensions are maintained when the gills are in a hypoxic environment. Physiological adjustments to hypoxic water conditions probably include temporal regulation of gill and air sac perfusion to be effective, if indeed they are so.

Notes: The antennae of adult Damalinia ovis, the sheep louse, were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Sensory structures are located on all three antennal segments with the predominant sensilla type being tactile. Nine different types of sensilla are described on the basis of external appearance. One of the sensilla, designated a “pit organ” because of its unusual shape, has not been described previously. A pair of these sensilla are present on each antenna, and their function is unknown. A group of 11 sensilla on the tip of each antenna contains olfactory and chemosensory pegs, and a possible thermohygroreceptor. The antennae are sexually dimorphic, the male having more tactile sensilla, two well-developed terminal hooks, and a different cuticular architecture on the posterior surface of antennal segment 1.

Notes: The formation of the unpaired structure ventral to the basibranchial region, the so-called urohyal, differs within osteichthyans. A cartilaginous preformed, unpaired “urohyal” is present in sarcopterygians. A three-tendon ossification is present in Polypterus. An “urohyal” or urohyal is absent in both Amia and Lepisosteus. The urohyal formed as an unpaired ossification of the tendon of the sternohyoideus muscle is a feature of teleosts. A new structure, the parurohyal, arises as a double ossification of the tendon of the sternohyoideus muscle in siluroids; during ontogeny an anterodorsal crest or cup-like structure derives from the anterior basibranchial region and the tendon bone; therefore, the parurohyal is compound in origin. Judging from their formation and their distribution within osteichthyans the cartilaginous preformed “urohyal” and the teleostean urohyal are nonhomologous, whereas the urohyal and parurohyal are homologous. The urohyal is connected by ligaments with the ventral hypohyals in most teleosts, whereas it articulates with the ventral hypohyals in teleosts such as Anguilla and Chanos. The parurohyal is a synapomorphy of siluroids. The parurohyal in siluroids is articulated with both ventral and dorsal hypohyals, and with the basibranchial region in catfishes such as diplomystids and ictalurids, whereas it articulates only with the ventral hypohyals in other catfishes such as trichomycterines. The passage of the hypobranchial artery through the hypobranchial foramen of the parurohyal is a unique feature of siluroids, like the absence of the basihyal bone.An ossified dorsal hypohyal appears late in ontogeny in Amia, as do tooth plates related to the medial side of the hyoid arch and branchiostegal rays in Amia, and tooth plates on the hyoid arch and branchiostegal rays in Elops (unique features within extant teleosts). Two ossified hypohyals, a synapomorphy of teleosts, are present early in ontogeny.There is intraspecific variation in the onset of ossification of the bones of the head, but the sequence of ossification between bones in a defined structural system is conserved (e.g., branchiostegal rays ossify first, then bones of the hyoid arch).

Notes: The vas deferens of Ambystoma macrodactylum is composed of a peritoneal epithelium, connective tissue layer with fibroblasts, circular smooth muscle, capillaries, cells containing lipid, and a luminal epithelium composed of a single layer of cuboidal cells covered by a net of interconnected ciliated squamous cells. The cuboidal cells have abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and PAS + secretory vesicles. Squamous cells of breeding males consistently have tufts of ∼100 cilia located at one end of the long axis of each cell. These cilia may help distribute secretory products. The squamous cells, absent in post-breeding males, are apparently sloughed into the lumen. Lipid vesicles are present throughout the cytoplasm of the cuboidal and squamous epithelial cells and are also in some cells of the connective tissue layer. These vesicles increase dramatically in number during the first 4 weeks after breeding and may serve as an energy pool for the next breeding season. Enzyme-histochemical tests for testosterone synthesis were negative. In addition to the accumulation of lipid and the loss of squamous cells in the vas deferens, after breeding PAS + vesicle production is terminated. These alterations appear to represent energy conservation strategies employed by the sperm-depleted vas deferens.

Notes: The concept of parallel muscle combinations, in which spindle density is significantly higher in small muscles compared to their larger counterparts in large-small muscle combinations acting across a joint, is supported by the results of this study regardless of the joint. Analysis of the canine data as well as previously published guinea pig forelimb and human pelvic limb data revealed no significant difference in spindle density between antigravity and non-antigravity muscles. Furthermore, a gradual increase in spindle density from proximal to distal on the limb was not found, although spindle density was significantly higher in the intrinsic manus or pes muscles compared to more proximal limb muscles in all three species. The significant differences in spindle densities in parallel muscle combinations and in manus/pes versus proximal muscles are discussed relative to their possible role in the control of locomotion.

Notes: The choanocyte chambers of eight different haplosclerid sponge species have been investigated with regard to their histological structure, their relation to the mesohyl, and their arrangement between the canal systems. Two fundamentally different organizational types occur in the investigated sponge species. In Haliclona rosea, H. oculata, H. elegans, H. simulans, H. rava, H. fistulosa, and Acervochalina limbata the choanocytes are separated from the mesohylar tissue, being more or less covered over the outer surface by pinacocytes belonging to the incurrent canal walls. In Haliclona indistincta, on the other hand, the choanocytes are, as in most other Demospongiae, in contact with the mesohyl at their outer surfaces. This indicates that the present order Haplosclerida is polyphyletic and contains sponges of a presumably poecilosclerid origin.

Notes: The three-dimensional structures of the carotid labyrinth in five species of anurans representing four families (Rana nigromaculata, Rana catesbeiana, Bufo japonicus, Hyla arborea, and Xenopus laevis), and three species of caudates representing three families (Cynops pyrrhogaster, Hynobius nebulosus, Ambystoma mexicanum) were compared using vascular corrosion castings and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Anuran carotid labyrinths are spherical in shape and are classified into two groups according to the origin of the external and internal carotid arteries. One group, which included Rana, Hyla, and Bufo, is characterized by the presence of a vascular ring at the proximal end and some vascular routes at the distal end of the labyrinth. The external and internal carotid arteries originate from these structures. The other group, which includes only Xenopus, is characterized by the external carotid artery opening directly from the central chamber or the common carotid artery, and by the internal carotid artery originating from within the vascular maze. The vascular maze is most complex in Xenopus, less so in Rana and Bufo, and simplest in Hyla. The carotid labyrinths in Cynops and Hynobius are oblong in shape. The fundamental organization in salamanders is similar to that in anurans. The vascular maze, however, is much simpler than in Hyla. There is no specialized swelling in Ambystoma mexicanum. The present findings suggest that most amphibian carotid labyrinths have the appropriate architecture for controlling vascular tone.

Notes: The vomeronasal sensory epithelium of a crotaline snake, Trimeresurus flavoviridis, was shown to consist of a superficial supporting cell layer and an underlying sensory cell layer composed of columns of sensory cells. The supporting cell layer consists of both supporting cells and dendrites of the underlying sensory neurons. The apical regions of sensory cell dendrites contain numerous microtubules, many elongated mitochondria, centrioles, and electron-dense bodies. The dendrites terminate as dendritic knobs from which microvilli project into the vomeronasal lumen. Smooth vesicles are abundant in the dendritic terminals and their vicinity. Supporting cells also bear microvilli, and these cells contain large electron-opaque granules and dense vesicles near their free surfaces. Cytoplasmic extensions of the supporting cells form a meshwork which separates dendrxites from each other in the vicinity of the luminal surface. The meshwork becomes obliterated in the infranuclear region of each supporting cell. Bipolar-shaped sensory cells with lightly stained round nuclei contain the characteristic cell organelles of neurons and are thought to be sensory neurons. These cells are especially characterized by well-developed lamellae of rough endoplasmic reticulum and extensive arrays of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The perikarya of cells located in the apical region of the cell columns tend to contain larger amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and lipofuscin granules than the perikarya of cells located in lower regions. Undifferentiated cells are found in the basal region of the columns. Satellite cells form the framework of the columns and are also found among neuronal elements.

Notes: The protandric hermaphrodite Ophryotrocha puerilis possesses one pair of eyes. They are located in the peristomium. Each light-sensitive organ consists of one sensory cell and one to two supporting cell(s) embedded in a cup-shaped reflector. The sensory-supporting cell complex is enveloped by a basal lamina. This lamina is supposed to be identical with the neural lamella. Thus the eyes proper have to be regarded as protrusions from the brain, while epidermal cells seem to differentiate to crystalline cells (reflector) and are deposited onto the sensory complex.The reflector is built up by several cup-shaped cells (juveniles, 4-5; adults, 10-12). Each of these cells comprises a multilayer of parallel-oriented, membrane-bound crystalline platelets which are thought to be guanine. The sensory cell is of the inverted rhabdomere type. Submicrovillar cisternae, typical for most polychaete eyes, are lacking. The first and always present supporting cell entirely envelops the sensory cell, thus forming the extracellular space around the rhabdomere. It does not contain any pigment granules. Often but not always a second supporting cell has been observed surrounding the sensory cell and first supporting cell. It is interpreted as a glial cell.In the sensory cell beneath the rhabdomere, pino- and phagocytosis can be observed and secondary lysosomes are found in high densities. Preliminary results seem to demonstrate that there is no distinct diurnal cycle of receptoral membrane recycling. In comparison with the ocelli of Dinophilidae, which have been interpreted as a dorvilleid-related family, morphological differences and their application to phylogenetic considerations are discussed.

Notes: The appearance pattern of pharyngeal tooth germs was investigated in the larval Japanese dace, Tribolodon hakonensis, which has a bilaterally asymmetrical dentition. Teeth develop in a series of replacement waves beginning with the initial central tooth (Ce) and continuing with teeth of anterior (An) and posterior (Po) positions relative to the initial one. Identified by wave number (n) and tooth position (r), according to the formula n-1[r], tooth germs appeared in the order of tooth 0[Ce0], 1[Po1], 1[Anl], 2[Ce0], 2[An2], 3[Po1], 3[An1], 4[Ce0], 4[An2], 5[Po1], 5[An1], 5[An3], 6[Ce0], 6[An2] during the larval period. Dentition on the right side, however, lacks the first tooth at position An2 (tooth 2[An2]) and teeth at position An3. Tooth germs on the first, second, and third replacement waves appeared simultaneously on the arches of both sides. During following waves, tooth germs on the left side appeared later than those on the right. Delay of tooth germ appearance On the left side is interpreted as an inhibitory influence of existing tooth germs in accordance with Osborn's (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. Ser. B 179:261--289, '71) theory. The delay of tooth germ appearance on the left arch is most pronounced on the seventh replacement wave. Teeth of the right major row in adults of this species are replaced more frequently than those of the left major row, apparently in correlation with the absence of the first larval tooth at position An2 and teeth at position An3. It is hypothesized that cyprinids evolved the minor rows and specialized teeth of their adult dentition as apomorphic characteristics by the process of neoteny.

Notes: Development of the internal structures of the caudal region (muscles, bones, cartilages, nerves, and blood vessels) of the Da/Da mutant medaka and of wild-type +/+ fish was compared. Muscles and nerves were immunochemically stained by using an antibody to troponin T and antibodies to neurofilament proteins, respectively. Bones and cartilages were stained with alizarin red and alcian blue. In stages 31-32 of the Da/Da embryo, the rudiments of epurals 1, 2, and 3 differentiated dorsally opposite the sites of the ventral rudiments of the parhypural, the lower hypural plate, and the upper hypural plate, respectively. In the +/+ embryo, the rudiments of epurals 1 and 2 differentiated in the later developmental stages (after stage 34), but the rudiment of epural 3 did not differentiate. In the Da/Da embryo, the deep dorsal flexor passed dorsalwards and ended at the rudiment of epural 2, whereas the muscle passed ventralwards and ended at the rudiment of the upper hypural plate in the +/+ embryo. In the Da/Da fry, the epichordal region of the caudal fin fold grew and the notochord extended straight into the tail without bending, while in the + /+ fry, the epichordal region did not grow and the notochord turned dorsalwards within the tail. In the Da/Da fry, extra skeletal rudiments and musculature differentiated in the epichordal region of the caudal fin, whereas these supernumerary structures did not develop in the +/+ fry. The pattern of the epichordal skeleton and musculature in the caudal region of the adult Da/Da fish was an almost mirror-image duplication of the hypochordal structures. These observations suggest that the characteristic expansion of the dorsal fin and epichordal lobe in the caudal region of the adult Da/Da fish is due to a process of ventralization, whereby the dorsal skeleton, musculature, and fin fold are stimulated to differentiate in a pattern like that which is restricted to the anal fin and hypochordal lobe of the wild type.

Notes: Tongue musculature in 24 genera of snakes was examined histologically. In all snakes, the tongue is composed of a few main groups of muscles. The M. hyoglossus is a paired bundle in the center of the tongue. The posterior regions of the tongue possess musculature that surrounds these bundles and is responsible for protrusion. Anterior tongue regions contain hyoglossal bundles, dorsal longitudinal muscle bundles and vertical and transverse bundles, which are perpendicular to the long axis of the tongue. The interaction of the longitudinal with the vertical and horizontal muscles is responsible for bending during tongue flicking. Despite general similarities, distinct patterns of intrinsic tongue musculature characterize each infraorder of snakes. The Henophidia are primitive; the Scolecophidia and Caenophidia are each distinguished by derived characters. These derived characters support hypotheses that these latter taxa are each monophyletic. Cylindrophis (Anilioidea) is in some characters intermediate between Booidea and Colubroidea. The condition in the Booidea resembles the lizard condition; however, no synapomorphies of tongue musculature confirm a relationship with any specific lizard family. Although the pattern of colubroids appears to be the most biomechanically specialized, as yet no behavioral or performance feature has been identified to distinguish them from other snakes.

Notes: Wall and internal organelles of the encysting salt marsh heterotrich ciliate Fabrea salina were examined by bright field and Nomarski interference contrast microscopy and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. A mucoid sheath believed to be derived from bacteria covers the ectocyst. The possible bacterial origin of this sheath has been demonstrated experimentally by its removal and reappearence after 24 hours. Control ectocyst maintained in sterile seawater did not replace the sheath. The ectocyst has a crinkled appearance. The endocyst is composed of two layers. The inner endocyst material is continuous with that of the plug located at one end of the cyst. The two membranes are separated from one another by an interwall space filled with fibrous material. The cytoplasm, covered by an outer double membrane pellicle, contains mucocysts, pigment granules, microtubules, non-ciliated kinetosomes, Golgi complexes, ribosome-studded endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. The endoplasm contains numerous autophagosomes, mitochondria, and food reserve materials. The macronucleus is centrally located in the cytoplasm of the encysting organism.

Notes: Analysis of lateral and dorsoventral radiographic films shows that ingestion, transport, and mastication in Pedetes capensis (Rodentia) are cyclic and their movement patterns are essentially similar for the three food types offered. During the ingestion cycle, closing of the mouth is accompanied by a backward translation of the condyles, so that movement is predominantly orthal. During the opening stage, the extent of the anterior condylar translation is smaller. As a result the mandibular incisors move ventrally and posteriorly. During the ingestion cycles, food is transported to the back of the tongue, with the transverse rugae and the folds of the upper lip playing important roles.Springhares show a bilateral masticatory pattern; food is chewed on both sides simultaneously. During chewing, the condyles lie in their most forward position at maximum opening of the mouth. The mouth is closed by rotation of the lower jaw around the temporomandibular joint coupled with posterior condylar translation. At the beginning of the slow-closing stage, the upward rotation of the mandible slows and the jaw slowly shifts forward. During the grinding stage, the mandible is shifted forward with both toothrows in occlusion. During the opening stage, the jaw returns to its starting position.Comparison of kinematic and anatomical data on rodent mastication suggests that some dental characteristics form the most important factors regulating the masticatory pattern and consequently allow reasonably reliable prediction of rodent masticatory patterns.

Notes: Avian embryos can be completely paralyzed by injection of neuromuscular-blocking agents. We used a single injection of decamethonium iodide to paralyze embryos at 7, 8, or 10 days of incubation and analyzed the growth of individual bones (clavicle, mandible, ulna, femur, tibia, humerus) and of individual muscles that act upon some of those bones (clavicular and sternal heads of m. pectoralis, and mm. biceps brachii, depressor mandibulae, pseudotemporalis, and adductor externus). Growth of the bones is not equally affected by paralysis. Only 27% of clavicular growth (by mass) but 77% of mandibular growth occurred in paralyzed embryos, whereas the four long bones exhibited 52-63% of their normal growth. Analysis of muscle weight, fiber length and physiological cross-sectional area (weight/fiber length) indicate that there was greater reduction of the muscles acting on the limbs than of those acting on the mandible, i.e., diminished growth of the skeleton is correlated with reduced muscular activity. Specific retardation of clavicular growth is due to fusion of sternal rudiments and collapse of the thorax, as well as virtual absence of the musculature that normally attaches to the clavicle. We discuss these results in the light of intrinsic and extrinsic factors governing growth of tne embryonic skeleton. Paralysis reduces skeletal growth by reducing both the movements taking place in ovo, and the loads imposed on the bones by muscle contraction, changes that represent alterations in the mechanical environment of the skeleton.

Notes: This study using light and electron microscopy indicates that the saccus vasculosus is distinguishable in 9-mm embryos and grows continuously throughout embryonic development to the adult stage. In the saccus vasculosus, epithelial mitoses are observed in all stages studied. Phases of centriologenesis, ciliogenesis, and globule formation have been characterized in developing coronet cells. During the phase of centriologenesis, new centrioles appear in association with pre-existing centrioles and not on deuterosomes. After ciliogenesis, each cilium differentiates to a globule almost at the same time as the other cilia of the coronet cell. The inner membrane system of the globules seems to derive from the ciliary plasma membrane. This membrane system often produces membrane whorls during the development. The different phases of coronet cell development have been found in the same individual and in all the stages studied except the 9-mm embryo. Cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons are observed in the saccus epithelium from the 12-mm embryos on and are distinguishable from coronet cells in their early formative stages. The three cell types of the saccus vasculosus increase continuously in number during development. Nerve processes are found in the saccus vasculosus of embryos, whereas differentiated synapses appear later in the fry. The significance of continued coronet cell formation is discussed in relation to a putative coronet cell and/or a globule renewal cycle in the adult.

Notes: Changes of architecture of adult rat gastrocnemius medialis muscle (GM) due to growth were studied in relation to length-force characteristics. Myofilament lengths were unchanged, indicating constant sarcomere length-force characteristics. Number of sarcomeres within fibers was unchanged as a consequence of growth, allowing persistence of differences between proximal and distal fibers in all age groups. Distal fiber length at muscle optimum length was shorter for the 14- than for the 10- and 16-week age groups despite a lack of difference of number of sarcomeres. This is indicative of a shift of optimum fiber length with respect to muscle length to lengths higher than optimum length. Some evidence for the occurrence of distribution of fiber optimum lengths with respect to muscle optimum length was found in other age groups as well, albeit of a smaller magnitude. Muscle and aponeurosis length increased substantially with growth. Functional effects of increased aponeurosis lengths were increased contributions to muscle length changes by the aponeurosis, allowing smaller fiber contributions in older animals. Fiber angle increased approximately 5° with growth. Despite the differences of architecture indicated above, muscle length range between optimum length and active slack length was constant. This was probably caused by widening of this length range in the youngest age group by variations of architecture within the muscle. It is concluded that adaptation of aspects of muscle architecture is an important mechanism for adult muscle growth in rat GM. Of these aspects regulation of muscle length seems a dominant factor.

Notes: A light and electron microscopic study of the skin of domestic chickens, seagulls, and antarctic penguins revealed abundant extracellular dermal lipid and intracellular epidermal lipid. Dermal lipid appeared ultrastructurally as extracellular droplets varying from less than 1 μm to more than 25 μm in diameter. The droplets were often irregularly contoured, sometimes round, and of relatively low electron density. Processes of fibrocytes were often seen in contact with extracellular lipid droplets. Sometimes a portion of such a droplet was missing, and this missing part appeared to have been “digested away” by the cell process. In places where cells or cell processes are in contact with fat droplets, there are sometimes extracellular membranous whorls or fragments which have been associated with the presence of fatty acids. Occasionally (in the comb) free fat particles were seen in intimate contact with extravasated erythrocytes. Fat droplets were seen in the lumen of small dermal blood and lymph vessels. We suggest that the dermal extracellular lipid originates in the adipocyte layer and following hydrolysis the free fatty acids diffuse into the epidermis. Here they become the raw material for forming the abundant neutral lipid contained in many of the epidermal cells of both birds and dolphins. The heretofore unreported presence and apparently normal utilization of abundant extracellular lipid in birds, as well as the presence of relatively large droplets of neutral lipid in dermal vessels, pose questions which require a thorough reappraisal of present concepts of the ways in which fat is distributed and utilized in the body.

Notes: Development of neurons in the area triangularis of Gallotia galloti was investigated in Golgi-impregnated brain tissue. Four major neuronal types present in adults were found to originate from two migratory neuroblast types, which were followed from embryonic stage S.32. One type has a thick main medial process, whereas the second type has a long main lateral process. As they migrate toward the periphery of the nucleus, morphological characteristics of maturation appear, including growth cones, filopodia, and outgrowth of axons. Neuroblasts with a main lateral process differentiate into two immature neuronal types, bipolars and pyramidals, observed at S.33 and thereafter. The neuroblasts with a main medial process undergo some somatic translocation through a transitory tangential shaft. Then they develop into monopolar immature forms with a long varicose medial, process, appearing from S.36. onward. Immature bipolar neurons do not experience great changes in their dendritic arborization during development to the adult stage, but pyramidals and monopolars undergo a rapid development of the dendritic tree after S.36. By S.38 archetypes of adult neuronal forms are established. Hairlike appendages first appear on neurons at S.36 They decrease suddenly in S.38 and then proliferate in S.39 when spines first appear. Around the time of hatching, the hairlike appendages begin to disappear and spines become established. Reduction of spines occurs after hatching and continues to the adult stage. Possible influences of several external factors on neuronal maturation are discussed.

Notes: The female reproductive system of Sphaerodema rusticum consists of a pair of ovaries, two lateral oviducts, a median common oviduct, and a median spermatheca. Accessory glands are absent. Each ovary has five free ovarioles branching from the oviduct. Each ovariole consists of a terminal filament, germarium, vitellarium, brown mass, and an exceptionally long pedicel. The terminal filament consists of a central core, interstitial cells, and an outer sheath. In the germarium, which consists of trophic and prefollicular regions, the trophic region or nurse cell chamber is divided into four histologically differentiated zones, distinguished as zones I-IV. Nutritive cords, originating from the posterior end of the trophic core in zone IV extend centrally and join the developing oocytes in the prefollicular chamber and the vitellarium. The compact prefollicular tissue at the base of the trophic core gives rise to prefollicular cells which, after encircling the young oocytes, become modified into follicular epithelial cells, the interfollicular plug, and epithelial plug. The young oocytes descend into the vitellarium and gradually develop into mature oocytes. A compound corpus luteum is observed simultaneously in all the ovarioles of both ovaries after ovulation. Below the epithelial plug there is an accumulation of material, the “brown mass,” which develops cyclically in correlation with the ovulation cycle. Each pedicel stores five mature chorionated eggs ready for oviposition. The epithelium of the anterior region of the pedicel secretes a PAS-positive material. General morphology and histology of the subdivisions of the ovarioles are described.

Notes: The feeding mechanisms of two labrid fishes (Cheilinus chlorurus and C. diagrammus: Labridae: Perciformes) are modeled using four-bar linkage theory from mechanical engineering. The actions of the feeding mechanisms are simulated by a computer program that uses morphometric data to calculate the geometry of mechanism structure. The predictions of three different four-bar linkages regarding the kinematics of feeding are compared to the movements observed through hign speed (200 fps) cinematography. A previously unidentified four-bar chain was found to be an accurate model of the mechanism by which upper jaw protrusion, maxillary rotation, and gape increase occur in Cheilinus. This mechanism involves the anterior jaws including the mandible, maxilla, premaxilla, palatine, and suspensorium. The accuracy of two previously described four-bar linkages was also tested by comparison of model predictions and film results. The opercular linkage proposed by Anker ('74) as a mechanism of jaw depression via opercular levation was found to be a poor predictor of feeding movements. This four-bar chain involves the opercle, suspensorium, interopercle, and mandible. Muller ('87) proposed a mechanism of hyoid depression involving cranial elevation due to epaxial muscle contraction as input motion The links in this mechanism include the neurocranium and hyomandibula, hyoid, sternohyoideus muscle, and pectoral girdle. This model was an accurate predictor of hyoid depression in Cheilinus when simultaneous cranial elevation and sternohyoideus contraction were simulated. Quantitative kinematic models involve simplifying assumptions when applied to complex musculoskeletal systems, but such models have a wide range of applications to vertebrate functional morphology.

Notes: The morphology of both the main nasal cavity and the vomeronasal organ differs among species representing six families of caecilians. The main nasal cavity is either divided or undivided. The vomeronasal organ differs in position (mediolateral, lateral), size (large vomeronasal organ in the aquatic species), and shape (mediolateral extension, vomeronasal organ with a lateral rostral projection). The great amount of respiratory epithelium of the main nasal cavity, the large vomeronasal organ, and its extensive innervation in typhlonectids may reflect both phylogeny and habitat adaptation, for these taxa are secondarily aquatic or semiaquatic and have several concomitant morphological and physiological modifications. The vomeronasal organ is associated with the caecilian tentacle as the tentacular ducts open into it. This association is further evidence for the involvement of the caecilian tentacle in vomeronasal chemoperception and may represent the mechanism by which these animals smell though the main nasal cavity is closed during burrowing or swimming. Labelings of primary olfactory and vomeronasal projections by means of horseradish peroxidase reaction reveal that the pattern of vomeronasal projections is similar in Ichthyophis kohtaoensis, Dermophis mexicanus, and Typhlonectes natans, even though T. natans possess stronger vomeronasal projections relative to olfactory projections than I. kohtaoensis and D. mexicanus. However, there are differences with respect to the patterns of olfactory projections. The olfactory projection of I. kohtaoensis is characterized by many displaced glomeruli. T. natans has the smallest olfactory projection. The nervus terminalis is associated with the olfactory system as shown by selective labelings of olfactory projections.Six characters potentially useful for phylogenetic analysis emerge from this study of comparative morphology. The characters were subjected to analysis using PAUP to see (1) if any resolution occurred and (2) if any groups were distinguished, whether they corresponded to phylogenetic arrangements based on other morphological characters. The characters are too few to produce nested dichotomous sets for all cases, but they do support the two typhlonectid genera examined and Dermophis and Gymnopis as sister taxa discrete from other groups, and they show that species within genera cluster together.

Notes: A kidney from the budgerigar (budgie, parakeet; Melopsittacus undulatus) is composed of cortical reptilian-type nephrons (without loops of Henle) and mammalian-type nephrons (with loops) grouped together in medullary cones. The loop of the mammalian-type nephrons has a descending segment composed of thin and highly interdigitated cells. These thin limb cells have few mitochondria (15% of cell volume), undetectable Na+, K+-ATPase activity, and virtually no basolateral surface amplification. Prior to the hairpin turn, the descending limb thickens, but the cells continue to lack basolateral amplification. Cells just prior to and within the hairpin turn resemble cells of the entire ascending limb. These cells are thick (there is no thin ascending segment in the avian loop), with extensive infoldings of the basolateral membrane surrounding numerous mitochondria (45% of cell volume). The area of basolateral membrane is 25 times that of the apical membrane. The basolateral membrane (but not the apical membrane) is enriched in Na+, K+-ATPase activity. The structure of the avian mammalian-type nephron (as epitomized by the budgie nephron) and the fact that NaCl accounts for over 90% of the osmotic activity of avian urine leads to the conclusion that the countercurrent multiplier of the avian kidney functions by active NaCl transport from the entire ascending limb. No explanation is offered for the transport specializations found in the thick descending segment of the loop, just prior to the hairpin turn.