Comparison between CT-HRP and Bartha Strain of Pseudorabies Virus as a Neurotracer in the Rat Visual System

ABSTRACT

To investigate the applicability of the Bartha strain of pseudorabies virus(PRV-Ba) as a neurotracer in the visual system, we performed immunohistochemical study of the rat brain after intravitreal injection of the PRV-Ba. Cholera toxin-horseradish peroxidase(CT-HRP), a well known neurotracer, was also injected into the vitreous cavity for comparison. After given survival time the brain was removed and processed immunohistochemical stain for PRV-Ba and neurohistochemical stain for CT-HRP. The CT-HRP positive reactions were observed almost contralaterally in optic chiasm, optic tract, suprachiasmatic nucleus(SCN), olivary pretectal nucleus(OPT), all three subdivision of lateral geniculate body, superficial gray layer and optic layer of superior colliculus and medial, lateral, dorsal terminal nucleus of accessory optic tract. PRV-Ba immunopositive reaction was observed in SCN and OPT, but not in nerve fiber system and dorsal lateral geniculate body. Also PRV-Ba positive cells were distributed mainly in intermediate layer and weakly distributed in superficial layer of the superior colliculus. This study suggests that PRV-Ba is not a useful neurotracer in studying the visual system of the rat.