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The Developing Left Superior Cervical Ganglion of Pacas (Agouti paca)
Author(s) -
Melo Samanta Rios,
Nyengaard Jens Randel,
da Roza Oliveira Felipe,
Ladd Fernando Vagner Lobo,
Abrahão Luciana Maria Bigaram,
Machado Márcia R.F.,
Sasahara Tais H.C.,
de Melo Mariana Pereira,
Ribeiro Antonio Augusto C.M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the anatomical record: advances in integrative anatomy and evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1932-8494
pISSN - 1932-8486
DOI - 10.1002/ar.20918
Subject(s) - stereology , biology , ganglion , superior cervical ganglion , cervical ganglia , neuron , anatomy , nervous system , endocrinology , neuroscience
In this study the main question investigated was the number and size of both binucleate and mononucleate superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons and, whether post‐natal development would affect these parameters. Twenty left SCGs from 20 male pacas were used. Four different ages were investigated, that is newborn (4 days), young (45 days), adult (2 years), and aged animals (7 years). By using design‐based stereological methods, that is the Cavalieri principle and a physical disector combined with serial sectioning, the total volume of ganglion and total number of mononucleate and binucleate neurons were estimated. Furthermore, the mean perikaryal (somal) volume of mononucleate and binucleate neurons was estimated using the vertical nucleator. The main findings of this study were a 154% increase in the SCG volume, a 95% increase in the total number of mononucleate SCG neurons and a 50% increase in the total volume of SCG neurons. In conclusion, apart from neuron number, different adaptive mechanisms may coexist in the autonomic nervous system to guarantee a functional homeostasis during ageing, which is not always associated with neuron losses. Anat Rec, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.