A proposed neural pathway for vocalization in South African clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis

J Comp Physiol A. 1985 Dec;157(6):749-61. doi: 10.1007/BF01350072.

Abstract

Vocalizations of South African clawed frogs are produced by contractions of laryngeal muscles innervated by motor neurons of the caudal medulla (within cranial nerve nucleus IX-X). We have traced afferents to laryngeal motor neurons in male and female frogs using retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheat germ agglutinin (HRP-WGA). After iontophoretic injection of HRP-WGA into n. IX-X, retrogradely labelled neurons were seen in the contralateral n. IX-X, in rhombencephalic reticular nuclei, and in the pre-trigeminal nucleus of the dorsal tegmental area (DTAM) of both males and females.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Mapping
  • Female
  • Hypoglossal Nerve / anatomy & histology*
  • Laryngeal Muscles / innervation*
  • Male
  • Medulla Oblongata / anatomy & histology*
  • Muscles / innervation*
  • Reticular Formation / anatomy & histology
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Vagus Nerve / anatomy & histology*
  • Vocalization, Animal / physiology*
  • Xenopus laevis