Galanin-like immunoreactivity in the cat brainstem.

Abstract

The distribution of galanin-like immunoreactive fibers and cell bodies has been studied in the cat brainstem. Perikarya containing galanin were only found, at a low density, in the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus and in the pericentral nucleus of the inferior colliculus. The highest density of immunoreactive fibers was found in the laminar spinal trigeminal nucleus and in the parvocellular division of the alaminar spinal trigeminal nucleus. A moderate density of immunoreactive fibers was observed in the periaqueductal gray, locus coeruleus, marginal nucleus of the brachium conjunctivum and below the facial nucleus, whereas a low density of such fibers was found in the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus, pericentral nucleus of the inferior colliculus, nucleus incertus, medial division of the dorsal nucleus of the raphe, accessory dorsal tegmental nucleus, Kölliker-Fuse nucleus, lateral tegmental field, postpyramidal nucleus of the raphe, pericentral division of the dorsal tegmental nucleus, infratrigeminal nucleus, medial nucleus of the solitary tract, spinal trigeminal tract, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and in the lateral reticular nucleus. According to the distribution of galanin-like immunoreactive structures in the cat brainstem, our data suggest that the peptide could be involved in respiratory, cardiovascular, nociceptive and auditory mechanisms.