Abstract
Recent studies have established that following an optomotor drum rotating in the direction contralateral to that spontaneously preferred by goldfish fry inverts their motor asymmetry. Studies of the structure of Mauthner neurons (MN) using the histological technique of three-dimensional reconstruction along with measurement of the volumes of the right and left MN in these fish showed that the ipsilateral MN underwent a three-fold reduction in the volume of the ventral dendrite (VD), which was in inverse proportion to the functional activity of the MN. The total volume of the contralateral MN was 25% larger than the volume of the ipsilateral MN, the situation typical of intact fish. It is suggested that the decreases in the size of the VD receiving afferentation from the contralateral eye, which follows the moving band of the optomotor drum, results from the specific contralateral visual stimulation, and is the first evidence of the possible natural stimulation of the MN via the VD.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
