Fiber connections and synaptic organization of the preoptic retinopetal nucleus in the filefish (Balistidae, Teleostei).

Neuron cell bodies of the preoptic retinopetal nucleus (PRN), located in the diencephalon of the filefish , Navodon modestus, project axons to the retina. In the present study, the fiber connections and synaptic organization of the preoptic retinopetal nucleus (PRN) were investigated light- and electron-microscopically. The majority of neural cell bodies are located in the rostral half of this rostro-caudally elongated nucleus. Four types of synaptic terminals are distinguishable. The first (L) consists of large, irregularly shaped terminals that contain electron-dense mitochondria and numerous synaptic vesicles. These profiles make asymmetrical multi-synaptic contacts and gap junctions with somata and dendrites. The L terminals are also presynaptic to a second class of terminals (P), which have pleomorphic synaptic vesicles and form synapses onto dendrites. F terminals which have flat synaptic vesicles were also seen PRN. Very few S terminals were also seen in PRN. This type of terminal contains spherical synaptic vesicles of various sizes and a few pale mitochondria. S terminals form asymmetrical synapses with somata, dendrites and P terminals. Following unilateral tectal ablation, degenerating fibers from the lesion were traced into PRN bilaterally, although ipsilateral projections were far more numerous. L terminals exhibit degenerative changes after large tectal resection, whereas S terminals degenerate after contralateral eye enucleation. Therefore, a tecto-PRN-retinal circuit and a reciprocal connection between the retina and PRN have been documented. The similarity between PRN in the filefish and retinopetal nuclei in other classes of vertebrates, especially the isthmo-optic nucleus in birds, is discussed.