Summary
A study of Wallerian degeneration in the vestibular fibres was carried out on the adult cat after electrolytic destruction of the nerve at its point of entry in the brain stem. Histological observation was restricted to the ventral part of the lateral vestibular nucleus and the adjacent portion of the descending vestibular nucleus: — the classic insertion points of primary afferent fibres —. Once embedded in paraffin wax and stained by ammoniacal silver (following Nauta and Gygax, 1951), the sections were studied conjointly by light and electron microscopy. Ultrastructural analysis revealed the high density of the silver deposit inside the neurons and its relative rareness in the terminal boutons. As a result the latter were basely identifiable by light microscopy, in spite of their being larger than the preterminal segment of the neuron. These results are compared with those obtained by methods which have undergone similar stringent tests, such as those of Fink and Heimer.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Références
Dropmann, K.: Die Anwendung der Silberimprägnation von Nervenfasern in der Elektronenmikroskopie. Acta neuroveg. (Wien)25, 418–426 (1963)
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)
Glees, P.: Terminal degeneration within the central nervous system as studied by a new silver method. J. Neuropath. exp. Neurol.5, 54–59 (1946)
Hauglie-Hansen, E.: Intrinsic neuronal organization of the vestibular nuclear complex in the cat. Ergebn. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch.40, 105 p (1968)
Heimer, L.: Selective silver-impregnation of degenerating axoplasm. In: Contemporary research methods in neuroanatomy, pp. 106–131. Eds. W. J. H. Nauta and S. O. E. Ebbesson. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York. Springer 1970
Heimer, L., Peters, A.: An electron microscope study of a silver stain for degenerating boutons. Brain Res.8, 337–346 (1968)
Johnstone, G., Bowsher, D.: A new method for the selective impregnation of degenerating axon terminals. Brain Res.12, 47–53 (1969)
Marty, R., Fuentes, C.: Methodes de dégénérescence expérimentale en neuromorphologie fonctionnelle: intérêt et limites. Arch. ital. Biol.111, 263–272 (1973)
Nauta, W. J. H.: Silver impregnation of degenerating axons. In: New research techniques of neuroanatomy, pp. 17–26. Ed. W. F. Windle. Springfield, Ill.: Ch. C. Thomas 1957
Nauta, W. J. H., Gygax, P. A.: Silver impregnation of degenerating axon terminals in the central nervous system: (1) Technic, (2) Chemical notes. Stain Technol.26, 5–11 (1951)
Pecci Saavedra, J., Mascitti, T. A., Vaccarezza, O. L., Reader, T. A.: Non-Synaptic ring images in silver-impregnated lateral geniculate nucleus. Brain Res.14, 733–738 (1969)
Peters, A.: Experiments on the mechanism of silver staining. IV Electron microscope studies. Quart. J. micr. Sci.96, 317–322 (1955)
Powell, E. W., Schnurr, R.: Silver impregnation of degenerating axons; comparisons of postoperative intervals, fixatives and staining methods. Stain Technol.47, 95–100 (1972)
Raisman, G., Matthews, M. R.: Degeneration and regeneration of synapses. In: The structure and function of nervous tissue, vol. IV, pp. 61–104. Ed. G. H. Bourne. New York-London: Academic Press 1972
Rasumssen, G. L.: Selective silver impregnation of synaptic endings. In: New research techniques of neuroanatomy, pp. 27–39. Ed. W. F. Windle. Springfield, Ill.: Ch. C. Thomas 1957
Sans, A., Raymond, J., Marty, R.: Projections des crêtes ampullaires et de l'utricule dans les noyaux vestibulaires primaires. Etude microphysiologique et corrélations anatomofonctionnelles. Brain Res.44, 337–355 (1972)
Sibleyras, P., Raymond, J., Marty, R.: Dégénérescence expérimentale du système nerveux central: étude sur coupes sériées, contre-colorées après imprégnation argentique et traitement éclaircissant. C. R. Soc. Biol. (Paris)166, 1024–1027 (1972)
Walberg, F.: Does silver impregnate normal and degenerating boutons? A study based on light and electron microscopical observations of the inferior olive. Brain Res.31, 47–65 (1971)
Walberg, F.: Further studies on silver impregnation of normal and degenerating boutons. A light and electron microscopical investigation of a filamentous degenerating system. Brain Res.36, 353–369 (1972)
Walberg, F.: Mugnaini, E.: Distinction of degenerating fibres and boutons of cerebellar and peripheral origin in the Deiters' nucleus of the same animal. Brain Res.14, 67–75 (1969)
Walberg, F., Bowsher, D., Brodal, A.: The termination of primary vestibular fibers in the vestibular nuclei in the cat. An experimental study with silver methods. J. comp. Neurol.110, 391–419 (1958)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fuentes, C., Marty, R. & Raymond, J. Dégénérescence Wallérienne expérimentale dans les noyaux vestibulaires: Etude en microscopies optique et électronique après imprégnation argentique. Acta Neuropathol 27, 119–129 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00687162
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00687162