The nucleus of Darkschewitsch in the cat: a Nissl, Golgi, and electron microscope analysis.

A light and electron microscope study was carried out to elucidate the cytoarchitectural organization of the nucleus of Darkschewitsch (ND) in the cat. From the anatomical staining methods, including Nissl and Golgi-Cox, it appears that the ND shows a clear heterogeneity of shape and size of the neuronal population. The small or medium-sized neurons show a high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio and a modest basophilia. Spiny extrusions are present on many of the neurons, arranged either as varicosities giving a rosary feature or clumped in small groups over the dendritic processes; these are absent at the level of the soma. From the electron microscope analysis it appears that the neuropil is not very extensive because the neuronal bodies are numerous and compact. The synaptic complex is extensive both at the level of the nerve cell bodies and at the level of the neuropil. Since many of the synapses display the features typical of the inhibitory synapses, it is possible that they represent the anatomical basis of an inhibitory integrative function.