Summary
The normal ultrastructure of rat substantia nigra was investigated. Special attention was paid to the different types of boutons, and the mode of termination of the striatonigral connection was examined. Two different types of nigra neurons with deep nuclear membrane indentations were observed. The synaptic organization of rat substantia nigra is very complex. Six types of boutons, with many characteristics, could be differentiated: pleomorphicvesicle boutons (40%), elongated-vesicle boutons (10%), small-round-vesicle boutons (10%), large-round-vesicle boutons (20%), “clear-terminal” (15%) and dense-core-vesicle boutons (about 5%). Vesicle-containing dendrites were observed entering dendro-dendritic synapses. One to four days after large unilateral striatal lesions were made, a great number of degenerating boutons were seen in the ipsilateral substantia nigra, while the contra-lateral substantia nigra was entirely free of degeneration. The newly defined pleomorphic-vesicle boutons were found almost exclusively in the process of degeneration. The neuronal origin of the other bouton types is discussed.
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On leave of absence from Anatomical Institut, Semmelweis University, Budapest.
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Hajdu, F., Hassler, R. & Bak, I.J. Electron microscopic study of the substantia nigra and the strio-nigral projection in the rat. Z.Zellforsch 146, 207–221 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307347
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307347