[Structure and neurochemistry of the raphe nuclei in teleosts]

NO is an important modulator of the brain serotoninergic function as it is co-localized with 5-hydroxytryptamine in the neurons of raphe nuclei in the brain of all the higher vertebrates. In the brain of fishes this property of NO is poorly studied. The purpose of this work was to study the neuromorphological peculiarities and distribution of NO-ergic neurons in raphe nuclei of Teleost species--carps and perch-like fishes. Using standard neuromorphological methods and the histochemical reaction demonstrating NADPH-diaphorase activity, the comparative analysis of NO-ergic neurons was performed and their localization was studied in the raphe complex of five teleost species. Within the raphe complex in fishes two main nuclei--nucleus raphe superior and nucleus raphe inferior were demonstrated. NADPH-diaphorase activity was observed in practically all the neurons of raphe niclei in species examined. Some intergroup morpho-adaptational neurochemical differences were found in the of the ventro-medial reticular formation adjacent to the raphe complex.