Feulgen DNA pattern of Purkinje cells population in vertebrates with different cerebellar cytoarchitectonics

Quantitative evaluations of Feulgen DNA contents were carried out at different hydrolysis times on Purkinje cell population and granular cells (2c controls) from catfish, frog and quail cerebella. At some hydrolysis times, the blood erythrocytes (2c controls) were examined too. The Feulgen DNA heterogeneity (2c, H2c, 4c) previously found in the rat, was observed in catfish and quail and it was clearly dependent on the different hydrolysis times. On the contrary in the frog, H2c and 4c values only were found. The analysis of the Feulgen hydrolysis kinetics showed a greater homogeneity of chromatin in frog Purkinje cells in comparison to the other species studied. From a comparative standpoint the patterns of Feulgen DNA of Purkinje cells were discussed in relation to the cerebellar size and structural complexity and its "functional importance".