Immunocytochemical mapping of NPY and VIP neuronal elements in the cat subcortical visual nuclei, with special reference to the pretectum and accessory optic system

The aim of this study was to describe the distribution patterns of neuropep tide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive (ir ) neuronal elements in subcortical visual centers of the cat. Numerous NPY- ir neurons were present in the feline nucleus of the optic tract and in the anterior pretectal nucleus. Only a few NPY-ir neurons were found in the po sterior, medial and olivary pretectal nuclei and in the accessory optic nuc lei. Diffuse and heavily beaded NPY-ir fiber plexuses were observed through out the superior colliculus, pretectum, and accessory optic system. Extensi vely arborising NPY-ir fibers were present in the mesencephalon and ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, while the dorsal visual thalamic nuclei contai ned only a few NPY-ir fibers. VIP-ir cells were present mainly in the acces sory optic nuclei, and they were absent in the dorsal visual thalamus. Both NPY- and VIP-ir neurons were multipolar and fusiform in shape in the regio ns studied. Enucleation did not alter the appearance of NPY- and VIP-contai ning neuronal elements in the superior colliculus and pretectum while in th e thalamus a subset of NPY-ir fiber population disappeared, indicating thei r retinal origin. Although there is a partial overlap in the topographical localization of the NPY- and VIP-ergic neurons in the pretectum, the coloca lization of the two peptides could not be demonstrated. The present observa tions demonstrate the existence of two different and separate peptidergic ( NPY and VIP) neuronal populations in the pretectum.