Distribution of gastrin-releasing peptide immunoreactivity in the brain of the collared dove ( Streptopelia decaocto )

Abstract

The distribution of immunoreactivity after applying an antibody against gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) was studied in the brain of the collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto). In the forebrain GRP-immunoreactive (GRP-ir) cells were found in the hyperstriatum accessorium, medial and lateral parts of the neostriatum, corticoidea dorsolateralis and temporoparieto-occipitalis areas, hippocampus, pre-and parahippocampal areas and prepiriform cortex. In the brainstem, GRP-ir cells were restricted mainly to the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental nucleus. Areas with densely packed GRP-ir clusters of varicosities were the medial intermediate hyperstriatum ventrale and lateral septal nucleus; dense GRPir neuropil was found in the parolfactory lobe, and in the dorsal half of the intermediate and caudal archistriatum. The ventral lamina medullaris contained many GRP-ir fibers. Forebrain areas devoid of immunoreactivity were the basal nucleus, ectostriatum, rostral archistriatum, most of the paleostriatum augmentatum and the lateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Moderate densities of GRP-ir elements were found in the other telencephalic areas and further in, among others, the preoptic and hypothalamic region, ventral area of Tsai, cerulean nuclei, parabrachial complex, dorsal glossopharyngeal and vagus motor nuclei and medial nuclei of the solitary complex. The observations are compared with data from the literature and the implications for the definition of specific centers within the avian brain are discussed, with emphasis on systems with a role in visceral and motivational functions and in learning.

A novel relay nucleus between the inferior colliculus and the optic tectum in the chicken (Gallus gallus)

“…In comparison with these counterstains, immunocytochemistry against various molecules can reveal nuclear boundaries much more precisely. In the avian midbrain, many studies have investigated the distribution of neurotransmitters and related enzymes (serotonin: Challet et al, ; den Boer‐Visser and Dubbeldam, ; neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P: den Boer‐Visser and Dubbeldam, 2002; gastrin‐releasing peptide: Dubbeldam and den Boer‐Visser, ; glutamic acid decarboxylase‐65: Sun et al, 2005; GABA: Domenici et al, ; Veenman et al, ; Veenman and Reiner, ). In our study, we found anti‐GABA Aβ histology to provide a precise demarcation of neuronal structures in the corresponding areas of the midbrain.…”

Molecular cloning and characterization of avian bombesin‐like peptide receptors: new tools for investigating molecular basis for ligand selectivity

“…In fact, Vaillant et al (1979) found substantial quantities of BN-like immunoreactivity in turkey brain; Cassone & Moore (1987) reported the existence of BN-like reactivity in the suprachiasmatic region of house sparrow and Berk & Smith (1994) described projection of BN-immunoreactive cells to the vagal complex of the pigeon. More recently, Dubbeldam & den Boer-Visser (2000) studied in detail the distribution of GRP immunoreactivity in the brain of the dove. These investigations suggested that receptors for BN-like peptides, in particular GRP, should exist in the avian brain, and here we provide evidence for GRP-R and BRS-3.5 expressions in the brain.…”