Distribution of calbindin D-28k-immunoreactivity in the cat brainstem.

Abstract

We studied the distribution of calbindin-immunoreactive fibers and cell bodies in the cat brainstem. The densest clusters of immunoreactive perikarya were found in the inferior and superior colliculi, the inferior olive, the periaqueductal gray, the central tegmental field and the substantia nigra, whereas the central linear nucleus, the locus coeruleus, the nucleus incertus, the dorsal and ventral nuclei of the lateral lemniscus, the cuneiform nucleus, the pontine gray, the Kolliker-Fuse nucleus, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and the medial nucleus of the solitary tract had the lowest density. In the lateral tegmental field, the marginal nucleus of the brachium conjunctivum, the superior central nucleus, the nucleus sagulum, the dorsal nucleus of the raphe, the interpeduncular nucleus and the retrorubral nucleus the density of immunoreactive cell bodies was moderate. A high density of immunoreactive fibers was observed in the substantia nigra, the nucleus ruber, the superior and inferior colliculi, the periaqueductal gray, the interpeduncular nucleus, the central, magnocellular and lateral tegmental fields, the marginal nucleus of the brachium conjunctivum, the postpyramidal nucleus of the raphe, the inferior olive, the internal division of the lateral reticular nucleus and the medial and lateral nuclei of the superior olive. A moderate density of calbindin-immunoreactive fibers was found in the retrorubral nucleus, the central linear nucleus, the locus coeruleus, the nucleus sagulum, the dorsal nucleus of the raphe, the cuneiform nucleus, the ventral and dorsal nuclei of the lateral lemniscus, the medial nucleus of the solitary tract, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and the cuneate nucleus. Other brainstem regions such as the area postrema, the external division of the lateral reticular nucleus, the nucleus ambiguus, the nucleus intercalatus, the nucleus incertus, the pyramidal tract and the trapezoid body had the lowest density of immunoreactive fibers.