Anatomical evidence for interactions between somatostatin neurites in lamina II of the rat spinal cord.
Light microscopic analysis of adult and 10-14-day-old rat spinal cords suggested that somatostatin-immunoreactive (SOM-I) fibers apposed SOM-I cell bodies in lamina (L) II. Electron microscopic analysis of these relationships at both ages showed the presence of direct appositions between SOM-I fibers and SOM-I cells. However, synapse formation between SOM-I fibers and cells was observed only in the young rat. Similarly, synapses between SOM-I fibers and SOM negative cell bodies were only found in the young animal. Adjacent SOM-I perikarya directly contacted each other, but, again, membrane specializations were evident only in the young rat. Within L I of the adult dorsal horn, a SOM-I fiber directly apposed an unlabeled cell body. Despite analysis of serial sections through the apposition, no synaptic contacts were observed.
Hannan
L J
LJ
Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Ho
R H
RH
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D016501:Neurites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D013004:Somatostatin