Immunohistochemical subpopulations of retinopetal neurons in the nucleus olfactoretinalis in a teleost, the whitespotted greenling (Hexagrammos stelleri).

Two subpopulations of retinopetal neurons in the nucleus olfactoretinalis (NOR) were revealed by means of general histological, tract tracing, and immunohistochemical methods in a marine teleost, the whitespotted greenling (Hexagrammos stelleri). Two types of cells in the NOR (M cell, L cell) were morphologically distinguishable from one another. The cell bodies of M cells were medium-size and fusiform, while those of L cells were large and ellipsoidal or irregular. M cells were located at the ventralmost region of the junction between the olfactory bulb and telencephalon, while L cells were scattered more rostrally along the ventromedial surface of the olfactory bulb. Following applications of HRP or Fluoro-Gold to the optic nerve, almost all M cells and about half of the L cells were labeled in the contralateral NOR. L cells showed strong immunoreactivities to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFamide), whereas M cells showed only weak GnRH-immunoreactivity and no FMRFamide-immunoreactivity. Axons of L cells were detected in the optic nerve by means of GnRH- and FMRFamide-immunohistochemistry. The axons were concentrated in the myelinated edge (the oldest area) of the "ribbon" optic nerve. GnRH- and FMRFamide-immunoreactive fibers constituted a plexus at the junction between the inner nuclear layer and inner plexiform layer. The existence of two structurally separate classes of NOR cells suggests two functionally separate channels from the NOR to the retina.