ARE THERE BULBOSPINAL CATECHOLAMINERGIC NEURONS IN THE GUINEA-PIG EQUIVALENT TO THE C1 CELL GROUP IN THE RAT AND RABBIT

Abstract

The C1 cell group in the rat is characterized by neurones which contain both adrenaline and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase, and usually also neuropeptide Y (NPY). The former two substances are lacking in Guinea pig brainstem and spinal cord. We have examined the distribution of NPY- and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactivity in the ventrolateral medulla and thoracolumbar intermediate zone of Guinea pig, as well as the distribution of catecholamine-containing neurone somata and spinal terminals visualized after formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixation. The results are compared with comparable immunohistochemical data obtained from rats and rabbits. Catecholaminergic neurones in the Guinea ..