The distribution of zinc in the forebrain and midbrain of the lizard Gekko gecko. A histochemical study. 1989

W J Smeets, and J Pérez-Clausell, and F A Geneser
Department of Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The distribution of zinc in the forebrain and midbrain of the lizard Gekko gecko was studied with the recently modified Timm method. Areas with a high intensity of staining are almost exclusively found in the telencephalon, although also some structures in the diencephalon display notable staining. Cortical areas that stain heavily are the deep zone of the subcortical layer of the small-celled medial cortex, the longitudinal association bundle that encompasses the large-celled medial cortex, and the dorsal cortex. Of the subcortical areas, particularly the anterior septal nucleus shows a high intensity of staining. Moderate to dense Timm staining is further observed in the ventral part of the anterior lateral cortex, the lateral septal nucleus, the striatum, the amygdaloid complex, and the dorsal ventricular ridge. Staining in the diencephalon is primarily confined to the stria terminalis and the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, whereas in the midbrain weak staining is observed in the ventral tegmental area and the periventricular layers of the tectum and the tegmentum. The presence of zinc in the gekkonid brain is discussed in relation to connections and neurotransmitters as studied in same species. Moreover, similarities in pattern of staining for zinc in mammals and reptiles and possible evolutionary implications are mentioned.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008116 Lizards Reptiles within the order Squamata that generally possess limbs, moveable EYELIDS, and EXTERNAL EAR openings, although there are some species which lack one or more of these structures. Chameleons,Geckos,Chameleon,Gecko,Lizard
D008297 Male Males
D008636 Mesencephalon The middle of the three primitive cerebral vesicles of the embryonic brain. Without further subdivision, midbrain develops into a short, constricted portion connecting the PONS and the DIENCEPHALON. Midbrain contains two major parts, the dorsal TECTUM MESENCEPHALI and the ventral TEGMENTUM MESENCEPHALI, housing components of auditory, visual, and other sensorimoter systems. Midbrain,Mesencephalons,Midbrains
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D002540 Cerebral Cortex The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions. Allocortex,Archipallium,Cortex Cerebri,Cortical Plate,Paleocortex,Periallocortex,Allocortices,Archipalliums,Cerebral Cortices,Cortex Cerebrus,Cortex, Cerebral,Cortical Plates,Paleocortices,Periallocortices,Plate, Cortical
D004027 Diencephalon The paired caudal parts of the PROSENCEPHALON from which the THALAMUS; HYPOTHALAMUS; EPITHALAMUS; and SUBTHALAMUS are derived. Interbrain,Interbrains
D005260 Female Females
D006651 Histocytochemistry Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods. Cytochemistry
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013687 Telencephalon The anterior subdivision of the embryonic PROSENCEPHALON or the corresponding part of the adult prosencephalon that includes the cerebrum and associated structures. Endbrain,Endbrains

Related Publications

W J Smeets, and J Pérez-Clausell, and F A Geneser
July 1989, The Journal of comparative neurology,
W J Smeets, and J Pérez-Clausell, and F A Geneser
May 1988, The Journal of comparative neurology,
W J Smeets, and J Pérez-Clausell, and F A Geneser
December 1986, The Journal of comparative neurology,
W J Smeets, and J Pérez-Clausell, and F A Geneser
January 1990, Brain, behavior and evolution,
W J Smeets, and J Pérez-Clausell, and F A Geneser
February 1987, The Journal of comparative neurology,
W J Smeets, and J Pérez-Clausell, and F A Geneser
December 1987, Cell and tissue research,
W J Smeets, and J Pérez-Clausell, and F A Geneser
January 1974, Brain, behavior and evolution,
W J Smeets, and J Pérez-Clausell, and F A Geneser
May 1972, International journal of cancer,
W J Smeets, and J Pérez-Clausell, and F A Geneser
January 1990, Brain, behavior and evolution,
Copied contents to your clipboard!