Pathways and terminal fields of the cochlearofugal somatostatin tracts of very young rats.
The cochlearofugal somatostatin (SRIF) neuron system of very young rats (between newborn and 1 week old) was investigated by means of the indirect immunofluorescence technique of Coons. Cochlear nuclei (both dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei) of this stage contain numerous SRIF-positive cells which are scarcely found in adult rats. Based upon the experimental findings obtained by this study, the majority of SRIF-positive fibers originating from these nuclei reach the contralateral inferior colliculus via well-established cochlearo-inferior collicular tracts such as dorsal acoustic striae, intermediate acoustic striae and trapezoid body, respectively. The possible significance of SRIF in the development of the auditory system is briefly discussed.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001370:Axonal Transport; D003051:Cochlea / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis*
D013004:Somatostatin