Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Somatostatin immunoreactive neurons in rat visual cortex: A light and electron microscopic study

  • Published:
Journal of Neurocytology

Summary

Somatostatin immunoreactive neurons in rat visual cortex were examined in the light and electron microscopes using an antibody to the tetradecapeptide form of somatostatin. Somatostatin immunoreactive neurons were found to belong only to non-pyramidal classes. They are of five main types: multipolar neurons with either thin or thick dendrites; small and large bipolar neurons; bitufted neurons; horizontal neurons; and neurons in the subcortical white matter. Of the immunoreactive neurons, multipolar neurons are the most common and account for 30% of the population, while bipolar and bitufted neurons make up 25% and 15% of the immunoreactive population, respectively; the least common somatostatin immunoreactive neurons are the horizontal and subcortical white matter neurons. Occasional multipolar neurons with thick dendrites have a prominent ascending dendrite so that they resemble pyramidal cells in the light microscope, but electron microscopic examination confirms that, like all other somatostatin-positive cells, they are non-pyramidal neurons, for they have both symmetric and asymmetric synapses on their cell bodies.

Somatostatin-positive neurons are distributed among all the cortical layers and the subcortical white matter but they are more common in two laminae, one coinciding with layer II/III and the other with layers V and VI. The multipolar and bipolar neurons are distributed in similar proportions in these upper and lower cortical laminae, while bitufted neurons are more common in upper laminae and horizontal neurons are predominantly located in layer VI.

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

  • Bear, M. F. &Ebner, F. F. (1983) Somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in the forebrain ofPseudemys turtles.Neuroscience 9, 297–307.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beauvillain, J. C. &Tramu, G. (1980) Immunohistochemical demonstration of LH-RH, somatostatin, and ACTH-like peptide in osmium postfixed, resinembedded median eminence.Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry 28, 1014–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, G. W., Edwardson, J. A., Marcano De Cotte, D., Berelowitz, M., Pimstone, B. L. &Kronheim, S. (1979) Release of somatostatin from rat brain synaptosomes.Journal of Neurochemistry 32, 1127–30.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett-Clarke, C., Romagnano, M. A. &Joseph, S. A. (1980) Distribution of somatostatin in the rat brain: telencephalon and diencephalon.Brain Research 188, 473–86.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Benoit, R., Bohlen, P., Ling, N., Briskin, A., Esch, E., Brazeau, P., Ying, S-Y. &Guillemin, R. (1982) Presence of somatostatin-28-(l-12) in hypothalamus and pancreas.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences US A 79, 917–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brazeau, P., Vale, W., Burgus, R., Ling, N., Butcher, M., River, J. &Guillemin, R. (1973) Hypothalamic polypeptide that inhibits the secretion of immunoreactive pituitary growth hormone.Science 179, 77–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brownstein, M., Arimura, A., Sato, H., Schally, A. V. &Kizer, J. S. (1975) The regional distribution of somatostatin in the rat brain.Endocrinology 96, 1456–61.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chan-Palay, V., Ito, M., Tongroach, P., Sakurai, M. &Palay, S. L. (1982) Inhibitory effects of motilin, somatostatin, [Leu]enkephalin, [Met]enkephalin, and taurine on neurons in the lateral vestibular nucleus: interactions with gamma aminobutyric acid.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 79, 3355–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colonnier, M. (1981) The electron microscopic analysis of the neuronal organization of the cerebral cortex. InThe Organization of the Cerebral Cortex (edited bySchmitt, F. O., Worden, F. C., Aldeman, G. &Dennis, S. G.), pp. 125–52. Cambridge: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connor, J. R. &Peters, A. (1984) Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive neurons in rat visual cortex.Neuroscience 12, 1027–44.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, P. E., Fernstrom, M. H., Rorstad, O. P., Leeman, S. E. &Martin, J. B. (1981) The regional distribution of somatostatin, substance P, and neurotensin in human brain.Brain Research 218, 219–32.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Delfs, J. R. &Dichter, M. A. (1983) Effects of somatostatin on mammalian cortical neurons in culture: physiological actions and unusual dose response characteristics.Journal of Neuroscience 3, 1176–88.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eldred, W. D., Zucker, C., Karten, H. J. &Yazulla, S. (1983) Comparison of fixation and penetration enhancement techniques for use in ultrastructural immunocytochemistry.Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry 31, 285–92.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Emson, P. C., Rossor, M. &Lee, C. M. (1981) The regional distribution and Chromatographic behavior of somatostatin in human brain.Neuroscience Letters 22, 319–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, S. C. &Lichtenstein, E. (1980) Morphology and distribution of somatostatin-containing neurons in guinea pig neocortex.Anatomical Record 196, 55A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, M. L. &Peters, A. (1978) The forms of non-pyramidal neurons in the visual cortex of the rat.Journal of Comparative Neurology 179, 761–94.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Finley, J. C. W., Grossman, G. H., Dimeo, P. &Petrusz, P. (1978) Somatostatin-containing neurons in the rat brain: widespread distribution revealed by immunocytochemistry after pretreatment with pronase.American Journal of Anatomy 153, 483–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamill, G. S., Olschowka, J. A., Lenn, N. J. &Jacobowitz, D. M. (1984) The subnuclear distribution of substance P, cholecystokinin,vasoactive intestinal peptide, somatostatin, leu-enkephalin, dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and serotonin in the rat interpeduncular nucleus.Journal of Comparative Neurology 226, 580–96.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hendry, S. H. C., Jones, E. G., Defelipe, J., Schmechel, D., Brandon, C. &Emson, P. C. (1984a) Neuropeptide-containing neurons of the cerebral cortex are also GABAergic.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 81, 6526–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendry, S. H. C., Jones, E. G. &Emson, P. C. (1984b) Morphology, distribution, and synaptic relations of somatostatin and neuropeptide Y immunoreactive neurons in rat and monkey neocortex.Journal of Neuroscience 4, 2497–517.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Houser, C. R., Crawford, G. D., Salvaterra, P. M. &Vaughn, J. E. (1985) Immunocytochemical localization of choline acetyltransferase in rat cerebral cortex: a study of cholinergic neurons and synapses.Journal of Comparative Neurology 234, 17–34.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Houser, C. R., Vaughn, J. E., Hendry, S. H. C., Jones, E. G. &Peters, A. (1984) GABA neurons in the cerebral cortex. InCerebral Cortex, Vol. 2,Functional Properties of Cortical Cells (edited byJones, E. G. &Peters, A.), pp. 63–89. New York, London: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, S. M., Raine, L. &Fanger, H. (1981) Use of avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC) in immunoperoxidase techniques: a comparison between ABC and unlabeled antibody (PAP) procedures.Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry 75, 577–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ioffe, S., Havlicek, V., Friesen, H. &Chernick, V. (1978) Effect of somatostatin (SRIF) and L-glutamate on neurons of the sensorimotor cortex in awake habituated rabbits.Brain Research 153, 414–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Iversen, L. L., Iversen, S. D., Bloom, F., Douglas, C., Brown, M. &Vale, W. (1978) Calcium-dependent release of somatostatin and neurotensin from rat brainin vitro.Nature 273, 161–3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joseph-Bravo, P., Charli, J. L., Sherman, T., Boyer, H., Bolivar, F. &McKelvy, J. F. (1980) Identification of a putative hypothalamic mRNA coding for somatostatin and of its product in cell-free translation.Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 94, 1004–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, J. S. (1982) Electrophysiology of peptides in the central nervous system.British Medical Bulletin 38, 283–90.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • King, J. C., Lechan, R. M., Kugel, G. &Anthony, E. L. P. (1983) A fixative for immunocytochemical localization of peptides in the central nervous system.Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry 31, 62–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kobayashi, R. M., Brown, M. &Vale, W. (1977) Regional distribution of neurotensin and somatostatin in rat brain.Brain Research 126, 584–88.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kohler, C. &Chan-Palay, V. (1983) Somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal peptide-like immunoreactive cells and terminals in the retrohippocampal region of the rat brain.Anatomy and Embryology 167, 151–72.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krish, B. (1980) Differing immunoreactivities of somatostatin in the cortex and hypothalamus of the rat.Cell and Tissue Research 212, 457–64.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laemle, L. K. &Feldman, S. C. (1985) Somatostatin (SRIF)-like immunoreactivity in subcortical and cortical visual centers of the rat.Journal of Comparative Neurology 233, 452–62.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, J. K., Parnavelas, J. G., Karamanlidis, A. N., Brecha, N.&Koenig, J. I. (1982a) The morphology and distribution of peptide-containing neurons in the adult and developing visual cortex of the rat. I. Somatostatin.Journal of Neurocytology 11, 809–24.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, J. K., Parnavelas, J. G., Karamanlidis, A. N. &Brecha, N. (1982b) The morphology and distribution of peptide-containing neurons in the adult and developing visual cortex of the rat. II. Vasoactive intestinal peptide.Journal of Neurocytology 11, 825–37.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, J. K., Parnavelas, J. G., Karamanlidis, A. N., Rosenquist, G. &Brecha, N. (1982c) The morphology and distribution of peptide-containing neurons in the adult and developing visual cortex of the rat. III. Cholecystokinin.Journal of Neurocytology 11, 881–95.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, J. K., Parnavelas, J. G., Karamanlidis, A. N. &Brecha, N. (1982d) The morphology and distribution of peptide-containing neurons in the adult and developing visual cortex of the rat. IV. Avian pancreatic polypeptide.Journal of Neurocytology 11, 985–95.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meinecke, D. L. &Peters, A. (1984) Somatostatin-like immunoreactive neurons in the occipital cortex of the adult rat.Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 10, 472.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, J. H., Benoit, R., Magistretti, P. J. &Bloom, F. E. (1983) Immunohistochemical distribution of pro-somatostatin-related peptides in cerebral cortex.Brain Research 262, 344–51.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A. &Fairen, A. (1978) Smooth and sparsely-spined stellate cells in the visual cortex of the rat. A study using a combined Golgi-electron microscope technique.Journal of Comparative Neurology 181, 129–72.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A. &Kara, D. A. (1985a) The neuronal composition of area 17 of rat visual cortex. I. The pyramidal cells.Journal of Comparative Neurology 234, 218–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A. &Kara, D. A. (1985b) The neuronal composition of area 17 of rat visual cortex. II. The nonpyramidal cells.Journal of Comparative Neurology 234, 242–63.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A. &Kimerer, L. M. (1981) Bipolar neurons in rat visual cortex: a combined Golgi-electron microscope study.Journal of Neurocytology 10, 921–46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A., Miller, M. &Kimerer, L. M. (1983) Cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive neurons in rat cerebral cortex.Neuroscience 8, 431–48.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pittman, Q. J. &Siggins, G. R. (1981) Somatostatin hyperpolarizes hippocampal pyramidal cellsin vitro.Brain Research 221, 402–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Renaud, L. P., Martin, J. B. &Brazeau, P. (1975) Depressant action of TRH, LH-RH and somatostatin on activity of central neurons.Nature 255, 233–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ribak, C. E. (1978) Aspinous and sparsely-spinous stellate neurons in the visual cortex of rats contain glutamic acid decarboxylase.Journal of Neurocytology 7, 461–78.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shiosaka, S., Takatsuki, K., Sakanaka, M., Inagaki, S., Takagi, H., Senba, E., Kawai, Y., Iida, H., Minagawa, H., Hara, Y., Matsuzaki, T. &Tohyama, M. (1982) Ontogeny of somatostatin-containing neuron system of the rat: immunohistochemical analysis. II. Forebrain and diencephalon.Journal of Comparative Neurology 204, 211–24.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Somogyi, P., Hodgson, A. J., Smith, A. D., Nunzi, M. G., Gorio, A. &Wu, J-Y. (1984) Different populations of GABAergic neurons in the visual cortex and hippocampus of cat contain somatostatin or cholecystokinin immunoreactive material.Journal of Neuroscience 4, 2590–603.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sørenson, K. V. (1982) Somatostatin: localization and distribution in the cortex and subcortical white matter of human brain.Neuroscience 7, 1227–32.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Srikant, C. B. &Patel, Y. C. (1981) Somatostatin receptors: identification and characterization in rat brain membranes.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 78, 3930–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, S. &Tsujimoto, A. (1981) Somatostatin facilitates the serotonin release from cat cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamic slices.Brain Research 208, 219–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watkins, W. B. (1980) Immunostaining of dog pituitary somatotrophs with anti-somatostatin serum: identification of receptors for somatostatin.Neuroscience Letters 17, 329–34.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Boston University School of Medicine, 80 East Concord Street, 02118, Boston, MA, USA

    Douglas L. Meinecke & Alan Peters

Authors
  1. Douglas L. Meinecke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alan Peters
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Meinecke, D.L., Peters, A. Somatostatin immunoreactive neurons in rat visual cortex: A light and electron microscopic study. J Neurocytol 15, 121–136 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02057910

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02057910

Keywords

Search

Navigation