title: Solitary magnocellular neurons in the avian optic tectum: cytoarchitectonic, histochemical and [3H]thymidine autoradiographic characterization.
abstract: Solitary magnocellular neurons are described in the adult chick optic tectum on the basis of their large size, polygonal shape, intensely basophilic perikarya, characteristic position at the border between the stratum griseum centrale and the stratum album centrale, decreasing density along a rostrocaudal gradient, and intense activity of NADH-diaphorase. These characteristics distinguish this population from the adjacent ganglion cells of the stratum griseum centrale, which are more numerous, smaller, paler staining and have background levels of NADH-diaphorase. Moreover, the solitary magnocellular neurons appear unlabeled after tritiated-thymidine administration after stage 17+, and are thus born before the stratum griseum centrale neurons, which are generated after stage 19. These large cells may correspond to a class of stellate ganglion cells with thick spiny dendrites described by Ramón (1943).
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D002645:Chickens; D008058:Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000145:classification*; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008058:Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase; D013936:Thymidine