CATECHOLAMINERGIC INNERVATION OF THE LATERAL CERVICAL NUCLEUS - A CORRELATED LIGHT AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF TYROSINE HYDROXYLASE-IMMUNOREACTIVE AXONS IN THE CAT

The organization of catecholamine-containing axons in the cat lateral cervical nucleus was examined by immunocytochemical methods using a sp ecific tyrosine hydroxylase antiserum. Light microscopic examination r evealed numerous tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons and varicos ities throughout this nucleus, and some of these structures were found in contact with neuronal cell bodies. Correlated ultrastructural anal ysis showed that these varicosities were synaptic boutons which formed symmetric synaptic junctions with dendrites and somata.This evidence suggests that catecholamines exert a postsynaptic action upon neurons within the lateral cervical nucleus.