Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The retinal projection to the ventral part of the lateral geniculate nucleus. An experimental study with silver-impregnation methods and axoplasmic protein tracing

  • Published:
Experimental Brain Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The retinal projection to the ventral part of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNv) was studied in 25 adult cats. In 12 cats one or both eyes were enucleated and the terminal degeneration in the LGNv was studied with silver impregnation methods. In 12 cats one or both eyes were injected with 3H-leucine and the terminal labelling in the LGNv was studied with autoradiography. In one animal one eye was enucleated and the other injected. In this case alternate sections were silver impregnated and processed for autoradiography. The series were cut in parasagittal, transverse or horizontal planes. The results revealed by degeneration were in very good agreement with those revealed by axoplasmic protein tracing. Two fields of retinal projection were found in the LGNv. The larger, dorsal one was restricted to subnucleus d (Jordan and Holländer, 1972) and comprised an ipsilateral and a contralateral component which did not overlap each other. The smaller, ventral field of projection was contralateral and extended from subnucleus b into c, e and a. The afferent optic tract fibres to both terminal fields were of small calibers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abplanalp, P.: Some subcortical connections of the visual system in treeshrews and squirrels. Brain Behav. Evol. 3, 155–168 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Altman, J.: Some fiber projections to the superior colliculus in the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 119, 77–96 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Altman, J., Carpenter, M.B.: Fiber projections of the superior colliculus in the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 116, 157–178 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barris, R.W.: Disposition of fibers of retinal origin in the lateral geniculate body. Course and termination of fibers of the optic system in the brain of the cat. A.M.A. Arch. Ophthalmol. 14, 61–70 (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barris, R.W., Ingram, W.R., Ranson, S.W.: Optic connections of the diencephalon and midbrain of the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 62, 117–153 (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  • Benevento, L.A., Ebner, F.F.: Pretectal, tectal, retinal and cortical projections to thalamic nuclei of the opossum in stereotaxic coordinates. Brain Res. 18, 171–175 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brouwer, B.: Experimentell-anatomische Untersuchungen über die Projektion der Retina auf die primären Opticuszentren. Schweiz. Arch. Neurol. Psychiat. 13, 118–137 (1923)

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, C.B.G., Jane, J.A., Yashon, D.: The retinal projection of the treeshrew and hedgehog. Brain Res. 5, 406–418 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Campos-Ortega, J.A.: Cytoarchitektonische Untersuchungen am Zwischenhirn des Halbaffen Galago crassicaudatus. Göttingen: Inaugural Dissertation 1968

  • Campos-Ortega, J.A.: The distribution of retinal fibres in the brain of the pig. Brain Res. 19, 306–312 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Campos-Ortega, J.A., Clüver, P.F. de V.: The distribution of retinal fibres in Galago crassicaudatus. Brain Res. 7, 487–489 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Campos-Ortega, J.A., Glees, P.: The subcortical distribution of optic fibers in Saimiri sciureus (Squirrel monkey). J. comp. Neurol. 131, 131–142 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Campos-Ortega, J.A., Hayhow, W.R., Clüver, P.F. de V.: The descending projections from the cortical visual fields of macaca mulatta with particular reference to the question of a corticolateral geniculate-pathway. Brain Behav. Evol. 3, 368–414 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowan, W.M., Gottlieb, D.I., Hendrickson, A.E., Price, J.L., Woolsey, T.A.: The autoradiographic demonstration of axonal connections in the central nervous system. Brain Res. 37, 21–51 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, S.B., Rosenquist, A.C., Palmer, L.A.: An autoradiographic study of ventral lateral geniculate projections in the cat. Brain Res. 72, 282–287 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichler, V.B.: The retinal projection in the hamster. Anat. Rec. 166, 302 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fink, R.P., Heimer, L.: Two methods for selective silver impregnation of degenerating axons and their synaptic endings in the central nervous system. Brain Res. 4, 369–374 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Garey, L.J., Jones, E.G., Powell, T.P.S.: Interrelationships of striate and extrastriate cortex with the primary relay sites of the visual pathway. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. 31, 135–157 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Garey, L.J., Powell, T.P.S.: The projection of the retina in the cat. J. Anat. (Lond.) 102, 189–222 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Giolli, R.A., Guthrie, M.D.: The primary optic projections in the rabbit. An experimental degeneration study. J. comp. Neurol. 136, 99–126 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Giolli, R.A., Guthrie, M.D.: Organization of subcortical projections of visual areas I and II in the rabbit. An experimental degeneration study. J. comp. Neurol. 142, 351–376 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Giolli, R.A., Tigges, J.: The primary optic pathways and nuclei of primates. In: The primate Brain. Advances in Primatology, 1 (eds. C.R. Noback, W. Montagna). New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts Educational Division, Meredith Corporation 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Graybiel, A.M.: Visuo-cerebellar and cerebello-visual connections involving the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus. Exp. Brain Res. 20, 303–306 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Graybiel, A.M., Nauta, W.J.H.: Some projections of the superior colliculus and visual cortex upon the posterior thalamus in the cat. Anat. Rec. 169, 328 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harting, J.K., Martin, G.F.: Neocortical projections to the mesencephalon of the armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Brain Res. 17, 447–462 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayhow, W.R.: The cytoarchitecture of the lateral geniculate body in the cat in relation to the distribution of crossed and uncrossed fibers. J. comp. Neurol. 110, 1–64 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayhow, W.R., Sefton, A., Webb, C.: Primary optic centers of the rat in relation to the terminal distribution of the crossed and uncrossed optic nerve fibers. J. comp. Neurol. 118, 295–322 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrickson, A.: The pregeniculate nucleus of the monkey. Anat. Rec. 175, 341 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrickson, A., Wilson, M.E., Toyne, M.J.: The distribution of optic nerve fibers in Macaca mulatta. Brain Res. 23, 425–427 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hickey, T.L., Spear, P.D.: Retinogeniculate projections in hooded and albino rats: an autoradiographic study. Exp. Brain Res. 24, 523–529 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • D'Hollander, F.: Recherches anatomiques sur les couches optiques, les voies cortico-thalamiques et les voies cortico-tectales. Arch. Biol. (Paris) 32, 249–344 (1922)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holländer, H.: The projection from the visual cortex to the lateral geniculate body (LGB). An experimental study with silver impregnation methods in the cat. Exp. Brain Res. 10, 219–235 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holländer, H.: Projections from the striate cortex to the diencephalon in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus). A light microscopic radioautographic study following intracortical injection of H3 Leucine. J. comp. Neurol. 155, 425–440 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, A.E.: The lateral geniculate complex of the owl monkey Aotis trivirgatus. J. comp. Neurol. 126, 171–180 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, H., Holländer, H.: The structure of the ventral part of the lateral geniculate nucleus. A cyto- and myeloarchitectonic study in the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 145, 259–272 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Karamanlidis, A.N., Magras, J.: Retinal projections in domestic ungulates. II. The retinal projections in the horse and the ox. Brain Res. 66, 209–225 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawamura, S., Niimi, S., Sprague, J.M.: Projections of visual cortices to the thalamus and midbrain in cat. Anat. Rec. 175, 354 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laemle, L.K.: Visual pathways of the lemurs. Anat. Rec. 160, 380–381 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lashley, K.S.: The mechanism of vision. VII. The projection of the retina upon the primary optic centers in the rat. J. comp. Neurol. 59, 341–373 (1934)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laties, A.M., Sprague, J.M.: The projection of optic fibers to the visual centers of the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 127, 35–70 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Loepp, W.H.: Über die zentralen Opticusendigungen beim Kaninchen. Anat. Anz. 40, 309–323 (1912)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lund, R.D.: Uncrossed visual pathways of hooded and albino rats. Science 149, 1506–1507 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Minkowski, M.: Über den Verlauf, die Endigung und die zentrale Repräsentation von gekreuzten und ungekreuzten Sehnervenfasern bei einigen Säugetieren und beim Menschen. Schweiz. Arch. Neurol. Psychiat. 6, 201–252 (1920)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nauta, W.J.H.: Silver impregnation of degenerating axons. In: New research techniques of neuroanatomy (ed. W.F. Windle), pp. 17–26. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas 1957

    Google Scholar 

  • Nauta, W.J.H., Bucher, V.M.: Efferent connections of the striate cortex in the albino rat. J. comp. Neurol. 100, 257–286 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nauta, W.J.H., Gygax, P.A.: Silver impregnation of degenerating axon terminals in the central nervous system: 1. Technique, 2. Chemical notes. Stain Technol. 26, 5–11 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nauta, W.J.H., van Straaten, J.J.: The primary optic centers of the rat. An experimental study by the “bouton” method. J. Anat. (Lond.) 81, 127–134 (1947)

    Google Scholar 

  • Niimi, K., Kawamura, S., Ishimaru, S.: Projections of the visual cortex to the lateral geniculate and posterior thalamic nuclei in the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 143, 279–312 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Leary, J.L.: A structural analysis of the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 73, 405–430 (1940)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavlov, M.: Les connexions centrales du nerf optique chez le lapin. Névraxe 1, 235–246 (1900)

    Google Scholar 

  • Polyak, S.: The vertebrate visual system. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press 1957

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanides, D.: The retinal projection of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat. Brain Res. 85, 313–316 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, G.E.: Retinal projections characterized by differential rate of degeneration revealed by silver impregnation. Anat. Rec. 160, 423 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Silva, P.S.: Some anatomical and physiological aspects of the lateral geniculate body (cat). J. comp. Neurol. 106, 463–486 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Singleton, M.C., Peele, T.L.: Distribution of optic fibers in the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 125, 303–328 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stone, J., Hansen, S.M.: The projection of the cat's retina on the lateral geniculate nucleus. J. comp. Neurol. 126, 601–624 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, L.W., Cowan, W.M., Jones, E.G.: An autoradiographic study of the efferent connections of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus in the albino rat and the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 156, 143–164 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tigges, J.: Retinal projections of subcortical optic nuclei in diurnal and nocturnal squirrels. Brain Behav. Evol. 3, 121–134 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tigges, J., O'Steen, W.K.: Termination of retinofugal fibers in squirrel monkey: a re-investigation using autoradiographic methods. Brain Res. 79, 489–495 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tigges, J., Tigges, M.: The accessory optic system and other optic fibres of the squirrel monkey. Folia primat. 10, 245–262 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. D. Sanides

    Present address: Neurobiologische Abteilung, Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie (Karl-Friedrich Bonhöffer Institut), Am Fassberg, Postfach 968, D - 3400, Göttingen-Nikolausberg, Federal Republic of Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Psychiatrie, Neuroanatomisches Labor, Kraepelinstr. 2, D - 8000, München 40, Federal Republic of Germany

    H. Holländer & D. Sanides

Authors
  1. H. Holländer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. Sanides
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

A preliminary report has already been published (Sanides, 1975)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Holländer, H., Sanides, D. The retinal projection to the ventral part of the lateral geniculate nucleus. An experimental study with silver-impregnation methods and axoplasmic protein tracing. Exp Brain Res 26, 329–342 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234217

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234217

Key words

Search

Navigation