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A serotonergic system in the brain of the Antarctic fish, Trematomus bernacchii

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Abstract

The immunohistochemical distribution of serotonin-containing nerve fibres and cells has been described in the brain of the Antarctic fish, Trematomus bernacchii. The largest serotonergic system was associated with the diencephalic and rhombencephalic ventricles. In particular, serotonin-positive cells have been found in the lateral recess and neuropile zone of the diencephalic ventricle, where we have identified the serotonergic portion of the paraventricular organ. Numerous serotonin cells were localized in the dorsal nucleus of the raphe, the dorsal tegmental nucleus and the central gray. Two large cell groups, arranged in a pair of well-defined columns and connecting the central gray with the dorsal reticular formation, were immunostained in the region of the trigeminal nuclei. In addition, few positive cells have been found in the preoptic area and the cerebellar valvula, and few serotonergic nerve fibres, probably belonging to the lateral lemniscus, have been identified. The distribution of serotonin elements in the brain of T. bernacchii has been compared with that described in other fish, where it showed some modifications in the immunoreactive pattern. Finally, the lack of a serotonergic system at the level of the reticular superior formation has been reported; however, it was not possible to rule out a phylogenetic or environmental explanation.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by funds from the Italian Program of Antarctic Research (PNRA). The authors wish to thank Dr Maria Angela Masini (Department of Biology, University of Genoa, Italy) for collecting, dissecting and fixing the specimens of Trematomus bernacchii.

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  1. Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV 5, 16132, Genoa, Italy

    Diana Oliveri, Simona Candiani, Manuela Parodi, Eva Bertini & Mario Pestarino

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  1. Diana Oliveri
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  2. Simona Candiani
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  3. Manuela Parodi
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  4. Eva Bertini
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  5. Mario Pestarino
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Correspondence to Mario Pestarino.

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Oliveri, D., Candiani, S., Parodi, M. et al. A serotonergic system in the brain of the Antarctic fish, Trematomus bernacchii. Polar Biol 28, 366–371 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-004-0706-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-004-0706-1

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