An electron microscopic and morphometric study on the GABA-immunoreactive terminals in the cuneate nucleus of the rat.
Immunogold labelling was used to identify GABA-immunoreactive (GABA-IR) terminals in the cuneate nucleus of the rat. About 30% of the terminals surveyed were GABA-IR. They were mostly small, although a few of medium size were encountered. The terminals contained either polymorphic or round synaptic vesicles; these occurred in an approximately 5:1 ratio. Most of these terminals formed symmetric synapses with dendrites of various sizes. The GABA-IR terminals also made synaptic contacts with somata of cuneate neurons and axon terminals of unknown origin. In addition, a few GABA-IR terminals forming asymmetric synapses were found in the cuneate neuropil. The possible functional significance of the synaptic organisation is discussed.
Wen
C Y
CY
Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
Chen
K N
KN
Lue
J H
JH
Chan
S A
SA
Shieh
J Y
JY
D000818:Animals; D003712:Dendrites / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013569:Synapses / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis*
D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid