Synaptic organization of the nucleus rotundus in some teleosts

Synaptic organization of the nucleus rotundus was studied with the electron microscope in three teleost species belonging to the same order. In spite of the different histological organization (non-laminated, incompletely laminated, and laminated), the same kinds of axon terminals (S and F) are observed in all species. A fibrous layer which is clearly formed only in the laminated nucleus is composed of F1 terminals and dendrites from a layer of small cells. The same kind of synapses formed between F1 terminals and dendrites of small cells are also found among glomeruli in the non-laminated and incompletely laminated nuclei. The main constituents of glomeruli are S and F2 terminals and dendrites of large cells in the non-laminated and incompletely laminated nuclei, and are S terminals and star-like structures which correspond to the tips of the dendrites of large cells in the laminated nucleus. The star-like structure contains numerous mitochondria and clusters of small polymorphic vesicles. Some of the vesicles aggregate at thickened cell membranes of the structure as in presynaptic dendrites.