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Histochemical distribution of zinc in the brain of the zebra finch (Taenopygia guttata)

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Abstract

The distribution of zinc was studied in the brain of the zebra finch (Taenopygia guttata) by means of the selenium histochemical method. A specifie pattern was seen, which usually correlated with the main known architectonic subdivisions. In addition, a few as yet unidentified structures were observed. In the telencephalon, the pallial components were stained with moderate to strong intensity. The only exceptions were the hyperstriatum intercalatus superior, a small medial area in the hyperstriatum accessorium and in the dorsolateral cortex, and the dorsomedial part of the hippocampal complex, which were virtually devoid of staining. Staining of the dorsal ventricular ridge components varied considerably. The archistriatum, the nucleus accumbens, the nucleus of the stria terminalis, the hyperstriatum ventrale and the lateral septum showed moderate to strong staining. The medial septum was weakly stained. The neostriatum showed a rather complex pattern of staining with unstained areas, such as the magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum, and other parts intensely stained, especially in its caudal region. Both paleostriatii primitivum and augmentatum showed a rostro-caudal gradient that was increasingly stained. We also observed an intensely stained area ventral to the fasciculus prosencephali lateralis and lateral to the tractus septomesencephalicus, a weakly to moderately stained band ventral to the lobus parolfactorius, an intensely stained zone along the lateral ventricle in the hyperstriatum ventrale, and an unstained almond-shaped nucleus in the lateral hyperstriatum ventrale. In the diencephalon, the hypothalamus showed a moderate to strong, rather uniform staining, whereas the thalamus was usually weakly to moderately stained, with the exception of a few unstained nuclei. Only the lateral nucleus of the habenula was stained, and with strong intensity. Most of the mesencephalon stained rather uniformly with a moderate to strong intensity. The most intense staining was seen in the substantia grisea centralis, the substantia grisea et fibrosa periventricularis, the torus semicircularis and the nucleus intercollicularis. The tectum opticum was virtually devoid of stain except for two light bands in the stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale. The formatio reticularis was moderately stained. All the other structures were either weakly stained or unstained. Some staining was seen in the Purkinje and the granular layers of tha cerebellum, as well as around its internal nuclei. The pons and the medulla oblongata showed an overall moderate to intense staining, with the exception of a few unstained nuclei. When compared in three bird species belonging to different genera, zinc distribution shows remarkable similarities, despite species, age and methodological differences. The pattern of zinc staining suggests that this element may play an important role in integrative and autonomic functions.

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  1. Department of Zoology and Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Catherine M. Montagnese & John R. Krebs

  2. Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Anatomy, University of Aarhus, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Finn A. Geneser

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  1. Catherine M. Montagnese
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Montagnese, C.M., Geneser, F.A. & Krebs, J.R. Histochemical distribution of zinc in the brain of the zebra finch (Taenopygia guttata). Anat Embryol 188, 173–187 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00186251

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