모래쥐 흑색질의 도파민성 신경세포의 분포와 미세구조

Distribution and Ultrastructure of Dopaminergic Neurons in the Substantia Nigra of Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculates)

The substantia nigra of the Mongolian gerbil was studies by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy with preembedding method. The purpose was to obtain information on the distribution and ultrastructure of the Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive and dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, in order to provide the necessary background for the gerbil. Large number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons were located in the compact part of substantia nigra. Findings in the gerbil, compared to observations in the other species, included the presence of prominent bundles of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive cytoplasmic processes passing in the dorsoventral direction from pars compacta into pars reticulata at middle and caudal levels of the substantia nigra, and the presence of a distinct tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive substantia nigra pars lateralis. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons had well-developed cell organelles, especially rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosome and poly-ribosome, and showed the infoldings of the nuclear envelope. We anticipate that the present description of the cellular organization of the tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive dopaminergic area in the substantia nigra of gerbil will be useful for the animal experimental model of Parkinson's disease.