ISSN:
1432-1106
Keywords:
Key words Lumbar motoneurons
;
Immunohistochemistry
;
Light microscopy
;
GABA and glycine colocalization
;
Stereology
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The distribution of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and/or glycine-immunoreactive (IR) terminal-like structures apposed to somatic and dendritic membrane of lumbar α-motoneurons in column 2 was examined in 1- and 3-week-old kittens and in the adult cat. This quantitative study was carried out using a postembedding technique on semithin sections and a stereological method, the disector. Analysis of immunoreactive terminals showed that the percentages of GABA-IR and glycine-IR terminals (these populations include terminals containing both GABA and glycine) apposed to somatic and proximal dendritic compartments of α-motoneurons are almost the same in kittens, while in the adult glycinergic innervation becomes predominant. This change results from: (1) the decrease in numbers of GABA-IR terminals contacting the somatic compartment between 3 weeks and adult stage, while the numbers of glycine-IR terminals show no significant changes after birth and the numbers of terminals containing both neurotransmitters (GABA-IR+glycine-IR) present transient changes and (2) the postnatal increase in the dendritic compartment, in numbers of GABA-IR, glycine-IR and GABA-IR+glycine-IR terminals; the increase being larger for glycine-IR terminals. Furthermore, using a postembedding immunogold technique, observations by electron microscopy showed that GABA-IR P boutons apposed to M boutons can already be identified at 1 week after birth.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002210050893
