RESUMO
Axonal projection is controlled by discrete regions localized at the neuroepithelium, guiding the neurite growth during embryonic development. These regions exert their effect through the expression of a family of chemotropic molecules, which actively participate in the formation of neuronal connections of the central nervous system in vertebrates. Previous studies describe prosomere 1 (P1) as a possible organizer of axonal growth of the rostral rhombencephalon, contributing to the caudal projection of reticulospinal rhombencephalic neurons. This work studies the contribution of chemotropic signals from P1 or pretectal medial longitudinal fascicle (MLF) neurons upon the caudal projection of the interstitial nuclei of Cajal (INC). By using in ovo surgeries, retrograde axonal labeling, and immunohistochemical techniques, we were able to determine that the absence of P1 generates a failure in the INC caudal projection, while drastically diminishing the reticulospinal rhombencephalic neurons projections. The lack of INC projection significantly decreases the number of reticulospinal neurons projecting to the MLF. We found a 48.6% decrease in the projections to the MLF from the rostral and bulbar areas. Similarly, the observed decrease at prosomere 2 was 51.5%, with 61.8% and 32.4% for prosomeres 3 and 4, respectively; thus, constituting the most affected rostral regions. These results suggest the following possibilities: i, that the axons of the reticulospinal neurons employ the INC projection as a scaffold, fasciculating with this pioneer projection; and ii, that the P1 region, including pretectal MLF neurons, exerts a chemotropic effect upon the INC caudal projection. Nonetheless the identification of these chemotropic signals is still a pending task.
Assuntos
Diencéfalo/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Células Intersticiais de Cajal/fisiologia , Vias Neurais/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Vias Neurais/fisiologia , Animais , Axônios , Embrião de Galinha , Diencéfalo/fisiologia , Imuno-Histoquímica , Neuritos , Neurônios/fisiologia , Rombencéfalo/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Rombencéfalo/fisiologiaRESUMO
The pineal complex of larval Geotria australis lampreys has been examined by light- and electron-microscopy. The complex consists of a pineal organ and a smaller parapineal organ, the former being situated dorsal to the latter. It is concluded that the pineal organ is a functioning photoreceptor, with neural and endocrine output. The parapineal appears to be a more basic neuroendocrine organ without photosensory capability. Day-night comparisons of the pineal complex show no obvious differences in ultrastructure; this could be related to the chronobiological role of the complex as a constant monitor of ambient light levels, rather than a mere visual receptor that changes its sensitivity at night.
Assuntos
Diencéfalo/ultraestrutura , Lampreias/anatomia & histologia , Sistemas Neurossecretores/ultraestrutura , Glândula Pineal/ultraestrutura , Animais , Ritmo Circadiano , Diencéfalo/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Lampreias/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Larva , Microscopia Eletrônica , Sistemas Neurossecretores/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Glândula Pineal/crescimento & desenvolvimentoRESUMO
The localization and proliferative activity of the matrix-zones has been investigated in the telencephalon and in the diencephalon of 21 axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) by means of autoradiographs, after injection of tritiated thymidine at different stages of the postnatal life. There are no previous detailed autoradiographical reports on postnatal brain development in the axolotl. Matrix-zones (i.e. ventricular and subventricular zone) exist in the dorsal part and in the ventral part of the telencephalon, we have found these also in the diencephalon in the wall of the preoptic recessus and ventrally of the habenula. The quantitative part of this study indicates high values of the labeling-index in the early postnatal stages. Then, the labeling-index decreases, but also in 3 years old specimens labeled cells were observed in the matrix-zones of the telencephalon; therefore a few of proliferative capacity remains in the central nervous system of adult axolotls. Labeled cells were also found in the olfactory organ of early postnatal and adult axolotls; these are neuroblasts which have relevance for the regeneration of the forebrain.