Summary
The morphogenetic differentiation of synapses of the optic tectum of the rainbow trout was investigated at different stages of development (from hatching to adult) and compared with the improvement in visual discrimination (minimum separable).
-
(1)
The main phase of synaptogenesis (increase in number of synapses, length of contact zone and number of vesicles) begins about one week after hatching and continues up to the age of one month, when the larvae start swimming freely.
-
(2)
Myelination begins 26 days after hatching and induces the end of the synaptogenesis period.
-
(3)
The visual discrimination (minimum separable) of trout larvae improves from 30 degrees of arc on the 10th day after hatching to 1 degree on day 30, then to about 14 to 18 min of arc in the adult.
The results are discussed with special reference to previous biochemical investigations on changes in the ganglioside composition of the trout brain during comparable periods of development.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aghajanian, G.K., Bloom, F.E.: The formation of synaptic junctions in developing rat brain: a quantitative electron microscopic study. Brain Res.6, 716–727 (1967)
Atherton, R.W., Lee, J.D.: Changes in the activity and isoenzymes of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase duringXenopus laevis development. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.50c, 27–32 (1975)
Berry, M.: Development of the cerebral neocortex of the rat. In: Aspects of Neurogenesis, Studies on the Development of Behavior and the Nervous System. pp. 8–67 (G. Gottlieb, ed.), Vol. 2, New York: Academic Press 1974
Breer, H., Rahmann, H.: Cholinesterase-Aktivität und Hirnganglioside während der Fisch-Entwicklung. Wilhem Roux's Archives181, 65–72 (1977)
Cragg, B.G.: The development of synapses in cat visual cortex. Invest. Ophthalm.11, 377–385 (1972)
Dalton, A.J.: A chrome-osmium fixative for electron microscopy. Anat. Rec.121, 281 (1955)
Foelix, R.F., Oppenheim, R.W.: Synaptogenesis in the avian embryo: Ultrastructure and possible behavioral correlates. In: Behavioral Embryology, Studies on the Development of Behavior and the Nervous System. (G. Gottlieb, ed.), Vol. 1, pp. 104–139 New York: Academic Press, 1973
Foelix, R.F., Oppenheim, R.W.: The development of synapses in the cerebellar cortex of the chick embryo. J. Neurocytol.3, 277–294 (1974)
Gottlieb, G.: Ontogenesis of sensory function in birds and mammals. In: Biopsychology of Development. (E. Tobach et al., eds.), New York: Academic Press 1971
Hansson, H.A., Holmgren, J., Svennerholm, L.: Ultrastructural localization of cell membrane GM1 ganglioside by cholera toxin. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA74, 3782–3786 (1977)
Haug, H., Kölln, M., Rast, A.: The postnatal development of myelinated nerve fibres in the visual cortex of the cat. A stereological and electron microscopical investigation. Cell Tiss. Res.167, 265–288 (1976)
Hayes, B.P., Roberts, A.: Synaptic junction development in the spinal cord of an amphibian embryo: an electron microscope study. Z. Zellforsch.137, 251–269 (1973)
Irwin, L.N., Chen, H., Barraco, R.A.: Ganglioside, protein, hexose, and sialic acid changes in the trisected optic tectum of the chick embryo. Develop. Biol.49, 29–39 (1976)
Morgan, J.G., Zanetta, J.P., Breckenridge, W.C., Vincendon, G., Gombos, G.: The chemical structure of synaptic membranes. Brain Research62, 405–411 (1973)
Oppenheim, R.W., Foelix, R.F.: Synaptogenesis in the chick embryo spinal cord. Nature235, 126–128 (1972)
Provine, R.R.: Neurophysiological aspects of behavior development in the chick embryo. In: Behavioral Embryology. Studies in the Development of Behavior and the Nervous System. (G. Gottlieb, ed.), Vol. 1, pp. 77–102 New York: Academic Press, 1973
Rager, G.: Morphogenesis and physiogenesis of the retino-tectal connection in the chicken. I. The retinal ganglion cells and their axons. Proc. Roy. Soc. London Ser. B.192, 331–352 (1976a) II. The retino-tectal synapses. Proc. Roy. Soc. London, Ser. B.192, 353–370 (1976)
Rogers, K.T., de Vries, L., Kepler, J.A., Kepler, C.R., Speidel, E.R.: Studies on chick brain of biochemical differentiation related to morphological differentiation and onset of function. J. Exp. Zool.144, 89–103 (1960)
Rösner, H.: (personal communication)
Roukema, P.A.: van den Eijnden, D.H., Heijlman, J., van den Berg, G.: Sialoglycoproteins, gangliosides, and related enzymes in developing rat brain. FEBS-Letters9, 267–270 (1970)
Rahmann, H., Rösner, H., Breer, H.: A functional model of sialo-glycomacro-molecules in synaptic transmission and memory formation. J. Theor. Biol.57, 231–237 (1976)
Shen, S.C., Greenfield, D., Boell, J.E.: The distribution of cholinesterase in the frog brain. J. Comp. Neurology102, 717–745 (1955)
Vestal, B.M.: Ontogeny of visual acuity in two species of deer mice (Peromyscus). Animal Behav.21, 711–719 (1973)
Vrensen, G., de Groot, D.: Quantitative stereology of synapses: a critical investigation. Brain Res.58, 25–35 (1973)
Wiegandt, H.: Struktur und Funktion der Ganglioside. Angew. Chemie80, Nr. 3, 89–98 (1968)
Woodward, D.J., Hoffer, B.J., Siggins, G.R., Bloom, F.E.: The ontogenetic development of synaptic junctions, synaptic activation and responsiveness to neurotransmitter substances in rat cerebellar Purkinje cells. Brain Res.34, 73–97 (1971)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rahmann, H., Jeserich, G. Quantitative morphogenetic investigations on fine structural changes in the optic tectum of the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) during ontogenesis. Wilhelm Roux' Archiv 184, 83–94 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00848671
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00848671