Allometric characteristics of the developing inferior olivary nucleus of the kitten

Brain, Behavior and Evolution
D C Polistina, L T Robertson

Abstract

The allometric characteristics of the inferior olivary complex were studied in 13 kittens, which ranged in age from 39 to 125 days gestation (parturition = 62 days). The date of conception was known for 8 of the specimens whereas only the date of birth was known for the other 5 kittens. Each brain stem was serially sectioned and every tenth section was stained with cresyl-echt violet. The volume of the complete inferior olivary complex showed a curvilinear increase, with an 8% per day growth rate postnatally. The neuron diameter also showed greater increase postnatally. The diameter reached adult range by 1 month postnatally. The neuron population exhibited both prenatal and postnatal changes. There was a 35% cell decrease from 75,800 estimated cells at 49 days to 49,140 at parturition; this was followed by a 33% increase to 73,700 estimated cells by 73 days after which the population was within the adult range. The neuron density demonstrated more than a 70% decrease prenatally. This quantitative analysis of the kitten's inferior olivary complex indicates that a transient population of olivary neurons exists prenatally and that considerable maturation of olivary complex occurs postnatally.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.