title: Neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity in the cat claustrum: A light- and electron-microscopic investigation.
abstract: The claustrum is a telencephalic nucleus located ventrolateral to the basal ganglia in the mammalian brain. It has an extensive reciprocal connectivity with most if not all of the cerebral cortex, in particular, primary sensory areas. However, despite renewed and growing interest amongst investigators, there remains a paucity of data concerning its peptidergic profile. The aim of the present study was to examine the presence, morphology, distribution and ultrastructure of neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive (NPY-ir) neurons and fibers in the claustrum of the cat. Ten adult healthy cats from both sexes were used. All animals received human and ethical treatment in accordance with the Principles of Laboratory Animal Care. Subjects were irreversibly anesthetized and transcardially perfused with fixative solution containing glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde. Brains were promptly removed, postfixed and sectioned. Slices were incubated with polyclonal anti-NPY antibodies according to the standard avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method adopted by our Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology. NPY-ir neurons and fibers were found to be diffusely distributed throughout the claustrum, with no obvious topographic or functional patterning other than larger numbers in its central/broadest part (stereotaxic planes A12-A16). Neurons were generally classified by diameter into three sizes: small (under 17 μm), medium (17-25 μm) and large (over 25 μm). Staining density is varied with some neurons appearing darker than others. At the electron-microscopic level NPY immunoproduct was observed within neurons, dendrites and terminal boutons, each differing relative to their ultrastructural attributes. Two types of NPY-ir synaptic boutons were found. Lastly, it is of interest to note that gender-specific differences were not observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Hinova-Palova
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria. Electronic address: landzhov_medac@abv.bg.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Landzhov
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physiology and Pathophysiology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dzhambazova
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Varna, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minkov
authors.affiliation: Medimark Corporation, P.O. Box 2316, Del Mar, CA 92014, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edelstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malinova
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paloff
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ovtscharoff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y
keywords: Cat; Claustrum; Electron microscopy; Light microscopy; Neuropeptide Y; Ultrastructure