The diencephalic course of regenerating retinotectal fibres in Xenopus tadpoles

Abstract

The normal retinotectal path in the diencephalon of Xenopus tadpoles is widely distributed in the form of a wedge of fibres extending from the central grey to the outer margin of the diencephalon. Regenerating optic nerve fibres were shown, by silver-staining and proline autoradiography, to follow an abnormal path up the extreme lateral edge of the diencephalon. Study of tadpoles at various stages of development, and of optic nerves allowed to regenerate for various periods, indicates that all new incoming optic fibres pass up the lateral edge of the diencephalon. The inner/outer order of the fibres in the normal diencephalon thus reflects the radial distribution of the retinal cells of origin.