Summary
The terminal nerve has been described in all vertebrate classes, with the exception of cyclostomes and birds. With regard to this question, we have examined representatives of these two classes using tracer techniques, and found a terminal nerve in larval lampreys and young domestic mallards. Horseradish peroxidase or cobaltous lysine was injected into the olfactory mucosa, which is known to be innervated by peripheral branches of the terminal nerve. The brains were then searched for labeled, centrally directed fibers of the terminal nerve that project further caudally than the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb. In larval lampreys, centrally projecting fibers of the terminal nerve were found in the tel-, diand mesencephalon. Termination of labeled fibers was observed in the hypothalamus. Some fibers of the terminal nerve cross to the contralateral side via the commissure of the posterior tuberculum. In young ducks, the terminal nerve projects ipsilaterally along the medial edge of the telencephalon.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ariëns Kappers CU, Huber CG, Crosby EC (1936, 1960) The comparative anatomy of the central nervous system of vertebrates, including man. Reprinted 1960, Hafner, New York
Ayers H (1919) Vertebrate cephalogenesis. IV. Transformation of the anterior end of the head, resulting in the formation of the ‘nose’. J Comp Neurol 30:323–342
Bartheld CS von, Meyer DL (1986a) Central projections of the nervus terminalis in the bichir, Polypterus palmas. Cell Tissue Res 244:181–186
Bartheld CS von, Meyer DL (1986b) Tracing of single nervus terminalis fibers in the goldfish brain. Cell Tissue Res 245:143–158
Bazer GT, Ebbesson SOE (1984) A simplified cobalt-lysine method for tracing axon trajectories in the central nervous system of vertebrates. Neurosci Lett 51:315–318
Bonin W (1941) Le nerf terminal et son ganglion. Le Naturaliste Canadien 68:33–50
Demski LS (1984) The evolution of neuroanatomical substrate of reproductive behavior: sex steroid and LHRH-specific pathways including the terminal nerve. Am Zool 24:809–830
Demski LS, Dulka JG (1984) Functional-anatomical studies on sperm release evoked by electrical stimulation of the olfactory tract in goldfish. Brain Res 291:241–248
Demski LS, Northcutt RG (1983) The terminal nerve: a new chemosensory system in vertebrates? Science 220:435–437
DeOlmos JS, Heimer L (1977) Mapping of collateral projections with the HRP method. Neurosci Lett 6:107–114
Ebbesson SOE, Hansel M, Scheich H (1981) An “on the slide” modification of the DeOlmos-Heimer HRP method. Neurosci Lett 22:1–4
Fritsch G (1878) Untersuchungen über den feineren Bau des Fischgehirns mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Homologien bei anderen Wirbelthierklassen. Verlag der Gutmann'schen Buchhandlung, Berlin
Gallyas F (1979) Light insensitive physical developers. Stain Technol 54:173–176
Heier P (1948) Fundamental principles in the structure of the brain. A study of the brain of Petromyzon fluviatilis. Acta Anat Suppl 8:1–213
Holmgren N (1918) Zur Kenntnis des Nervus terminalis bei Teleostiern. Folia Neurobiol 11:16–36
Holmgren N (1920) Zur Anatomie und Histologie des Vorderund Zwischenhirnes der Knochenfische. Acta Zool l:137–315
Karten HJ, Hodos W (1967) A stereotaxic atlas of the brain of the pigeon (Columba livia). The Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore Maryland
Kuhlenbeck H (1977) The central nervous system of vertebrates. Vol. 5, I: Derivatives of the prosencephalon: diencephalon and telencephalon. Karger, Basel, New York
Larsell O (1918) Studies on the nervus terminalis: mammals. J Comp Neurol 30:3–68
Larsell O (1919) Studies on the nervus terminalis: turtle. J Comp Neurol 30:423–443
Larsell O (1950) The nervus terminalis. Ann Otol Laryngol 59:414–438
La Vail JH, La Vail MM (1972) Retrograde axonal transport in the central nervous system. Science 176:1416–1417
Locy WA (1903) A new cranial nerve in selachians. Mark Anniv Volume article 3:39–55
Locy WA (1905) On a newly recognized nerve connected with the forebrain of selachians. Anat Anz 26:33–63 and 111–123
McKibben PS (1911) The nervus terminalis in urodele Amphibia. J Comp Neurol 21:261–310
Münz H, Claas B (1981) Centrifugal innervation of the retina in cichlid and poecilid fishes. A horseradish peroxidase study. Neurosci Lett 22:223–226
Münz H, Stumpf WE, Jennes L (1981) LHRH systems in the brain of platyfish. Brain Res 221:1–13
Münz H, Claas B, Stumpf WE, Jennes L (1982) Centrifugal innervation of the retina by luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH)-immunoreactive telencephalic neurons in telcostean fishes. Cell Tissue Res 222:313–323
Nieuwenhuys R (1967) Comparative anatomy of olfactory centres and tracts. Prog Brain Res 23:1–64
Nieuwenhuys R (1977) The brain of the lamprey in a comparative perspective. Ann NY Acad Sci 299:97–145
Northcutt RG (1985) The brain and sense organs of the earliest vertebrates: reconstruction of a morphotype. In: Foreman RE, Gorbman A, Dodd JM, Olsson R (eds) Evolutionary biology of primitive fishes. Plenum, New York, pp 81–112
Pinkus F (1894) Über einen noch nicht beschriebenen Hirnnerven des Protopterus annectens. Anat Anz 9:562–566
Pinkus F (1895) Die Hirnnerven des Protopterus annectens. Morphol Arb 4:275–346
Rubaschkin W (1903) Über die Beziehungen des Nervus trigeminus zur Riechschleimhaut. Anal Anz 22:407–415
Schilling K (1907) Über das Gehirn von Petromyzon fluviatilis. Abhandl Senkenbergischen Naturforsch Ges (Frankfurt) 30:423–446
Schober W (1964) Vergleichend-anatomische Untersuchungen am Gehirn der Larven und adulten Tiere von Lampetra fluviatilis (Linne, 1758) und Lampetra planeri (Bloch, 1784). J Hirnforsch 7:107–209
Schwanzel-Fukuda M, Silverman AJ (1980) The nervus terminalis of the guinea pig: a new luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neuronal system. J Comp Neurol 191:213–225
Stacey NE, Kyle AL (1983) Effects of olfactory tract lesions on sexual and feeding behavior in the goldfish. Physiol Behav 30:621–628
Teuchert G, Reissmann T, Vockel A (1986) Olfaction in Peking ducks (Anas platyrhynchos): A comparative study of centrifugal and centripetal olfactory connections in young ducks and in embryos and ducklings (Aves). Zoomorphology 106:185–198
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
von Bartheld, C.S., Lindörfer, H.W. & Meyer, D.L. The nervus terminalis also exists in cyclostomes and birds. Cell Tissue Res. 250, 431–434 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219088
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219088