Acomparative histochemical mapping of ATPase and 5-nucleotidase in the medulla oblongata, spinal cord and cerebellum of mouse.

In the present contribution a comparative study of histochemical mapping of the distribution of adenosine triphosphatase and 5-nucleotidase in the hind brain of mouse has been made. There are many similarities and dissimilarities between the distribution of these two enzymes in various nuclei, tracts and fiber bundles. The noteworthy differences are as follows:--1. The AP, NDNV, NI, NNH, NOAD, NOAM, NOI NPC, TS and SG are very intensely positive for ATPase whereas, in 5-NUC study none of these nuclei demonstrates intensity of such degree. 2. Nucleus ambiguus is intensely positive for ATPase and is completely negative for 5-NUC. 3. The nucleus n. facialis is intensely positive for ATPase and is moderately positive for 5-NUC. 4. NC, GN, PN, PCI and TC are completely negative for 5-NUC. In ATPase preparations only GN is negative and the rest of the areas demonstrate intensity of various degrees. Along with these differences, similarities in the intensity of both enzymes in various nuclei, tracts and fibrous bundles also exist. An attempt has been made to correlate all the aforesaid differences and similarities in the distribution of these two enzymes with the functional nature of the various areas of hind brain of mouse.