Morphometric characteristics of neurons in the hippocampal CA1-CA4 fields of the American

Abstract

The aim of the study was a quantitative and cytoarchitectonic examination of neurons of the ventral hippocampal CA1-CA4 fields in somatically mature female American mink (Neovison vison) (N = 6). Brains were removed and examined under a light microscope. The samples were stained by Nissl’s standard method, and histological samples were used for morphometric analysis. All ventral hippocampal CA1-CA4 fields were analyzed cytoarchitectonically and morphometrically with a calibrated image analysis system that consisted of a computer equipped with the Cell^D software Soft Imaging System (SIS) with an integrated digital camera Colorview IIIu (Soft Imaging System). Morphometric investigations of the pyramidal layer showed that the cells of the hippocampal CA1-CA4 fields in adult female American mink differ in size, shape, cell area, nucleus area and the nucleus-to-cell ratio (in %). The cells of the CA2 field were densely arranged, pyramidal and contained a small amount of cytoplasm; their size was differentiated. They were the largest in size (15.06 μm) and diameter (14.5 μm). The cells of the CA1 field had the smallest size (8.5 μm) and diameter (8.6 μm). In the CA3 field, small, densely packed neurons dominated, whereas neurons in the CA4 field formed a thin strand of loosely arranged cells. Given the increasing interest in hippocampal areas, it is necessary to continue studies of their morphology and morphometry in healthy animals and in those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.