Distribution of serotonin-immunoreactivity in the diencephalon and mesencephalon of the trout, Salmo gairdneri. Cellbodies, fibres and terminals

Abstract

In this paper the serotonin-containing neurons in the diencephalon and mesencephalon of the trout have been studied by immunocytochemistry. Serotonin-immunoreactive perikarya, fibres and terminals were visualized by using well-characterized antibodies to serotonin. Six areas could be demonstrated to contain serotonin-immunoreactive cellbodies . 1. A group of cells, situated ventral to the commissura posterior; 2. A region within the confines of the nucleus recessi lateralis and a few scattered cells dorsally to this nucleus; 3. Neurons, situated ventral to the recessus lateralis hypothalami, within the nucleus tuberis inferior; 4. Cells which are situated within the borders of the nucleus recessi posterioris ; 5. A number of cells, situated within the nucleus raphes superior and finally: 6. Perikarya, located dorsolateral to the nucleus raphes superior. The following three regions showed a very high density of serotonin-immunoreactive fibres and terminals: A. the most dorsal portion of the nucleus diffusus tori lateralis; B. the area dorsal to the recessus lateralis and C. the area surrounding the recessus posterior.