Localization of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons in the forebrain of the guppy Poecilia reticulata.
The current study reports for the first time the distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons in the forebrain of the guppy Poecilia reticulata. Numerous small TH-ir neurons were observed in the olfactory bulbs, located mainly in the periphery of the bulbs. The TH-ir telencephalic neurons are localized in the ventral telencephalic area where they are grouped in three distinct nuclei (Vv,Vd and Vp) composed of a small number of cells forming a continuous strip. The largest number of forebrain TH-ir neurons was observed in the diencephalon where both small and larger neurons are present. Diencephalic TH-ir neurons are subdivided in large nuclei located in the preoptic region (nSC, nPOp and nPOm), the thalamus (nDM), the pretectal region (nPPv and nAP), the hypothalamus (nPP and nRP) and the posterior tuberculum (nPT). Many diencephalic nuclei are distributed in periventricular regions and no TH-ir cells were observed in the paraventricular organ. A comparative analysis indicates that the present observations are consistent with the general pattern of TH-ir neurons distribution reported for the forebrain of other teleosts, but with some interspecies variability present, mainly in the diencephalon. This paper also provides valuable neuroanatomical information for P. reticulata, a teleost frequently used in toxicological tests, for future studies investigating the effects of environmental pollutants on the catecholaminergic system.
Parafati
M
M
Department of Animal and Human Biology, University of Rome Sapienza, Viale dell'Università, 32, Rome 00185, Italy.
Senatori
O
O
Nicotra
A
A
D000818:Animals; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology*; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D011036:Poecilia / Q000276:immunology*; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism*
D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase