Identification of catecholamine cell bodies in the pons and pons-mesencephalon junction of the cat brain, using tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunohistochemistry.

Using a double labeling immunohistochemical method with antibodies to tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, we reexamined the topographical distribution of dopaminergic (DA) and noradrenergic (NA) cells in the pons-mesencephalon junction of the cat. Besides DA cells of SN and its extensions, DA cells were also observed more caudally in nucleus raphe linearis intermedius and dorsalis, decussation of brachium conjunctivum, fasciculus longitudinalis medialis and periaqueductal gray. In nucleus locus coeruleus, cells exhibited variable levels of DBH, but dopaminergic cells were not evidenced in this structure.