Int. J. Dev. Biol. 45: S81 - S82 (2001)

Vol 45, Issue S1

Embryonic and larval development of NADPH-diaphorase/nitric oxide synthase reactivity in the brain of the amphibian Pleurodeles waltl

Published: 1 June 2001

N Moreno, JM Lopez, C Sanchez-Camacho, M Crespo, M Munoz, A Gonzalez

Univ Complutense, Fac Biol, Dept Biol Celular, E-28040 Madrid, Spain

Abstract

The distribution of NOS-containing cells was studied in the newt Pleurodeles walti during ontogenesis by means of nitric oxyde synthase (NOS) immunochemistry and NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. Embryonic and larval stages were studied. The first positive neurons were observed at embryonic stage 30 in the ventrolateral area of the caudal rhombencephalon. Subsequently (stage 33b), weakly reactive cells appeared rostrally in the mesencephalic tegmentum, isthmic tegmentum. A general caudorostral gradient of newly expressing NADPHd reactivity cells was observed through larval life. As in the adult, the nitrergic cells in the CNS of the newt are widely distributed during development, pointing to important roles of nitric oxyde through ontogenesis. The sequence of appearance of nitrergic cells revealed a first involvement of this system in reticulospinal control likely influencing locomotor behavior. As development proceeds, cells in different sensory systems express progresively the enzyme NOS in a pattern that shows many similarities with other anamniotes.

Keywords

Nitric-oxide, system