A Nissl, Golgi-Kopsch and ultrastructural study of the Gallotia galloti red nucleus

Abstract

The object of this study was to understand the different types of morphological neuronals of the Gallotia galloti red nucleus using quantitative and qualitative analysis, under the aspects of optical (Nissl and Golgi-Kopsch) and electronic microscopy. From the results from this study and considering the size, the distribution of Nissl bodies and the dendritic arborization, we have identified three neuronal types: elipsoidal or ovoid (15 μm), triangular (15-35 μm) and polygonal (20-50 μm). In general the polygonal neurons contain cytoplasm with abundant organelles, well developed Nissl bodies, perinuclear Golgi complex, numerous mitochondria, an ovoid nucleus and multiple dendrites. The triangular neurons have a similar structure, although the dendritic model is less ramified than that of the polygonal and the elipsoidal neurons contain smaller cytoplasm with less dendritic ramification. The contact with spines is not very frequent but can be observed in somas and dendrites. The neuronal population is heterogeneous and therefore neither the magnocellular nor the other parvicellular parts were observed separately, but there was a mixture of both.