Quantitative morphochemical characterization of the neurons in substantia nigra of rat brain and its volume...

Three cell compartments differing by size and proportion of neurons were identified by 3D reconstruction of the substantia nigra pars compacta of the rat brain based on immunohistochemical localization of tyrosine hydroxylase, a marker of dopamine neurons. Dopaminepositive neurons prevailed over dopamine-free neurons (1.45:1) in the most voluminous (75%) dorsal part, and in smaller lateral and ventral parts, inverse cell ratios were observed: 0.54:1 and 0.78:1, respectively. Morphometry characterized the substantia nigra pars compacta as a structure consisting not only of several parts, but of horizons and showed differences between the neurons both in several parts and in several layers within the part. The revealed morphochemical heterogeneity of the substantia nigra pars compacta provides better understanding of the selective damage to its structures in Parkinson's disease.