Immunocytochemical localization of the calcium-binding proteins calbindin D28K, calretinin, and parvalbumin in bat visual cortex.

It is a common misconception that bats are blind, and various studies have suggested that bats have visual abilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytoarchitecture of calbindin D28K (CB)-, calretinin (CR)-, and parvalbumin (PV)-immunoreactive (IR) neurons in the bat visual cortex using immunocytochemistry. The highest density of CB- and PV-IR neurons was located in layer IV of the visual cortex. The majority of CB- and PV-IR neurons were characterized by a stellate or round/oval shape. CR-IR neurons were predominantly located in layers II/III, and the cells were principally round/oval in shape. Two-color immunofluorescence revealed that 65.96%, 24.24%, and 77.00% of the CB-, CR-, and PV-IR neurons, respectively, contained gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). We observed calcium-binding protein (CBP)-IR neurons in specific layers of the bat visual cortex and in specific cell types. Many of the CBP-IR neurons were GABAergic interneurons. These data provide useful clues to aid in understanding the functional aspects of the bat visual system.