Cyto- and chemoarchitecture of the cerebellum of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

ABSTRACT

The monotremes (echidnas and platypus) have been claimed by some authors to show 'avian' or 'reptilian' features in the gross morphology and microscopic anatomy of the cerebellum. We have used Nissl staining in conjunction with enzyme histochemistry to acetylcholinesterase and cytochrome oxidase and immunohistochemistry to non-phosphorylated neurofilament protein (SMI-32 antibody), calcium binding proteins (parvalbumin, calbindin and calretinin) and tyrosine hydroxylase to examine the cyto- and chemoarchitecture of the cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei in the short-beaked echidna. Immunoreactivity for non-phosphorylated neurofilament (SMI-32 antibody) was found in the deep cerebellar nuclei and in Purkinje cells of most regions except the nodule. Purkinje cells identified with SMI-32 immunoreactivity were clearly mammalian in morphology. Parvalbumin and calbindin immunoreactivity was found in Purkinje cells with some regional variation in staining intensity and in Purkinje cell axons traversing cerebellar white matter or terminating on Lugaro cells. Calbindin immunoreactivity was also present in inferior olivary complex neurons. Calretinin immunoreactivity was found in pontocerebellar fibers and small cells in the deep granule cell layer of the ansiform lobule. We found that, although the deep cerebellar nuclei were much less clearly demarcated than in the rodent cerebellum, it was possible to distinguish medial, interposed and lateral nuclear components in the echidna. As far as we can determine from our techniques, the cerebellum of the echidna shows all the gross and cytological features familiar from the cerebellum of therian mammals.