The Neurons Related to Lateral Rectus Muscle in Cerebellum of Rats Using Pseudorabies Virus

ABSTRACT

We investigated the location of neurons related to lateral rectus muscle in the cerebellum of rats. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and Pseudorabies virus (PRV) were injected into right lateral rectus muscle of rats. After 84~90 hours, cardiac perfusion was performed with 4% paraformaldehyde in HRP injection group and 4% paraformaldehyde-lysine-periodate in PRV injection group. Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) neurohistochemical stain in HRP injection group and immuno-histochemical stain in PRV injection group were performed after frozen section. HRP-reactive neuronal cells were observed in ipsilateral abducens nucleus. PRV-immunoreactive neuronal cells were observed ipsilaterally in abducens nucleus, flocculus, paraflocculus, ansiform lobule, declive, dentate nucleus, infracerebellar nucleus and y nucleus and also bilaterally in nodulus, lobulus centralis, lingula, uvula vermis and fastigial nucleus. These findings show the existence of neuronal projection from the abducens nucleus to the cerebellum. This projection could be part of nerve circuits through which the cerebellum modulates visuomotor activities.