Immunocytochemical localization of serotonin in the rat periaqueductal gray: a quantitative light and electron microscopic study.

The distribution of serotonin-like immunoreactivity in five regions of the rodent midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) was studied by using light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry in combination with quantitative analysis. Light microscopic analysis revealed the presence of serotonin-like immunoreactive cell bodies located in the ventrolateral and ventromedial regions of the caudal PAG and serotonin-like immunoreactive processes throughout the PAG. Ultrastructural analysis showed dendritic profiles that stained positively for serotonin primarily in ventral regions, although an occasional profile was seen dorsally. Numerous synaptic contacts between unstained axon terminals and ventral dendritic profiles were seen. Axonal profiles that contained reaction product were identified throughout the PAG, but were rarely observed to make any type of specialized contact. Ultrastructural quantification of serotonin-like immunoreactive processes indicated that the highest volume fraction of serotonin immunoreactivity occurred caudoventrally where stained processes constituted 2.6% of the neuropil volume. Rostroventrally stained processes constituted only 0.14% of the neuropil volume at the level of the posterior commissure. By contrast the amount of serotonin-like immunoreactivity found dorsally remained relatively constant at all rostrocaudal levels. Analysis of serotonin staining among PAG regions demonstrated the lowest overall volume fraction in the dorsal region and the highest overall volume fraction in the ventromedial region. No significant differences were observed between medial and lateral regions. A comparison of the results of light microscopic quantitative analysis of serotoninergic processes with electron microscopic quantitative analysis indicated that both techniques produce comparable results.