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Distribution of methionine‐enkephalin immunoreactivity in the chick brain: An immunohistochemical study
Author(s) -
De Lanerolle N. C.,
Elde R. P.,
Sparber S. B.,
Frick M.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.901990406
Subject(s) - diencephalon , cerebrum , biology , interpeduncular nucleus , midbrain , nucleus , tegmentum , anatomy , enkephalin , periaqueductal gray , central nervous system , neuroscience , opioid , biochemistry , receptor
The distribution of Met‐enkephalin‐like immunoreactivity in the brains of 2‐week‐old domestic chicks was studied with immunohistofluorescence and the unlabeled antibody peroxidase‐antiperoxidase technique, using antibodies to Met‐enkephalin generated in rabbits. Immunoreactive cell bodies were found in the telencephalon, diencephalon, and mesencephalon in areas as yet uncharacterized as discrete nuclei in birds (E‐1, E‐2, E‐3, E‐4, E‐5); further cells were located in the diencephalic nucleus spiriformis lateralis, the midbrain medial intercollicular nucleus (E‐6), the nucleus mesencephalicus lateralis, pars dorsalis, the Edinger‐Westphal nucleus and dorsal occulomotor nucleus; and in the nucleus of cranial nerve X and an uncharacterized area in the dorsolateral medulla (E‐7). Immunoreactive fibers and/or terminals were located around the immunoreactive cell bodies and, in addition in the lateral septal area of the telencephalon; in the preoptic and hypothalamic areas of the diencephalon; in the anterior intercollicular area, periaqueductal central gray, area C, and the midventral tegmentum of the mesencephalon; in the nucleus solitarius, nucleus IX‐X , nucleus intercalatus, nucleus intermedius, and ventrolateral areas of the rhombencephalon. The pattern of distribution of met‐enkephalin in the chick is compared with that in the rat. A possible functional role for Met‐enkephalin in neural mechanisms mediating some behaviors of the chick is suggested.