The weaver gene has no effect on the generation patterns of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons

To determine if the weaver gene has action on late-generated neurons in mid brain areas on postnatal day (P) 8 [H-3] thymidine autoradiography and tyro sine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry were combined in the same tissue sect ion in homozygous weaver mice and normal controls. The experimental animals were the offspring of pregnant dams injected with [H-3] thymidine on embry onic days (E) 11-12, E12-131 E13-14 and E14-15. Both the span of neurogenes is and the neurogenetic timetables of dopaminergic neurons were similar bet ween wild-type and homozygous weavers in all midbrain areas analyzed. No lo ss of late-generated dopaminegic neurons was observed. The cytoarchitecrure of the midbrain dopaminergic cell groups were also the same in both experi mental groups indicating that cell migration, settling, and cytodifferentia tion proceeds normally in spite of the presence of the weaver gene. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.