title: Acetylcholinesterase staining in the auditory brainstem nuclei of the leopard frog, Rana pipiens.
abstract: We examined the distribution of acetycholinesterase (AChE) in the brainstem auditory nuclei of leopard frogs (Rana pipiens). Numerous AChE-labeled somata were observed in caudal brainstem nuclei including the dorsolateral nucleus, superior olivary nucleus, and superficial reticular nucleus. At midbrain levels, AChE-labeled somata were observed in the magnocellular, principal and laminar nuclei of the torus semicircularis, though, most were located in the magnocellular nucleus. Neuropil labeling, while present throughout the auditory brainstem, was particularly pronounced in the principal nucleus of the torus. These findings suggest that the auditory system of anurans, like that of birds and mammals, comprises, in part, distinct cholinergic pathways.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee, Department of Zoology, Knoxville 37996.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bunker
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001931:Brain Mapping; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D009847:Olivary Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011894:Rana pipiens; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D000109:Acetylcholine