Distribution of methionine-enkephalin immunoreactivity in the chick brain: an immunohistochemical study

The distribution of Met-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in the brains of 2-week-old domestic chicks was studied with immunohistofluorescence and the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique, using antibodies to Met-enkephalin generated in rabbits. Immunoreactive cell bodies were found in the telencephalon, diencephalon, and mesencephalon in areas as yet uncharacterized as discrete nuclei in birds (E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5); further cells were located in the diencephalic nucleus spiriformis lateralis, the midbrain medial intercollicular nucleus (E-6), the nucleus mesencephalicus lateralis, pars dorsalis, the Edinger-Westphal nucleus and dorsal occulomotor nucleus; and in the nucleus of cranial nerve X and an uncharacterized area in the dorsolateral medulla (E-7). Immunoreactive fibers and/or terminals were located around the immunoreactive cell bodies and, in addition in the lateral septal area of the telencephalon; in the preoptic and hypothalamic areas of the diencephalon; in the anterior intercollicular area, periaqueductal central gray, area C, and the midventral tegmentum of the mesencephalon; in the nucleus solitarius, nucleus IX-X, nucleus intercalatus, nucleus intermedius, and ventrolateral areas of the rhombencephalon. The pattern of distribution of met-enkephalin in the chick is compared with that in the rat. A possible functional role for Met-enkephalin in neural mechanisms mediating some behaviors of the chick is suggested.