GABA Immunohistochemical Study in the Lower Auditory Brainstem Nuclei of Chickens

Abstract

Using immunohistochemical technique to study the distribution of GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric-acid) reactivity in the lower auditory brainstem nuclei, nucleus magnocellularis (NM) and nucleus laminaris (NL). GABA immunoreactivity was not found in the cell bodies of these neurons. On the contrary, the immunoreactivity was strongly localized in the axon terminals surrounding NM and NL, and in the punctuate profiles which was presumed to be synapse with dendrites of NL. This investigation suggested that both NM and NL were not GABA-ergic neurons. However, at least, GABA was supposed to involve in inhibitory action of the lower auditory brainstem pathwat.