Organization of the extraocular and preganglionic motoneurons supplying the orbit in the lesser Galago.

Abstract

The retrograde tracer wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase was used to establish the organization of the extraocular muscle motoneuron pools in a prosimian, Galago senegalensis, for comparison with the organization in monkeys and non-primates. Medical rectus motoneurons were distributed in three subgroups in the ipsilateral oculomotor nucleus, a pattern similar to that of the monkey. Furthermore, the other component of the near response system, the preganglionic parasympathetic motoneurons, were confined within the Edinger-Westphal nucleus, as in the monkey. In contrast, the distribution of the levator palpebrae and superior rectus motoneurons was similar to that of the cat. Specifically, the majority of levator palpebrae motoneurons were located contralaterally, in the caudal central subdivision of the oculomotor nucleus, and the superior rectus motoneurons had a dorsocaudal location in the contralateral oculomotor nucleus. The distributions of motoneurons supplying the superior oblique and lateral rectus muscles were similar to those of other mammals. Unlike previously studied species, the galago was found to have two accessory muscles, that lie beneath the medial and lateral rectus muscles. Motoneurons supplying the accessory rectus muscles were found ventrolateral to the main abducens nucleus, in a position similar to that occupied by the cat accessory abducens nucleus; although others may be present in the main nuclei. Taken together, these results suggest that the organization of extraocular and preganglionic motoneurons in the galago exhibits both monkey and non-primate features. These observations are consistent with the notion that the galago is a primate species whose oculomotor organization is more similar to the general mammalian scheme.