Distribution of serotonin-containing cell bodies in the brainstem of the human fetus determined with immunohistochemistry using antiserotonin serum

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0387-7604(86)80055-9Get rights and content

The distribution of serotonin (5HT) neurons was investigated in the brainstem of 8 human fetuses ranging in age from 15 to 27 weeks of gestation. We conducted the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunohistochemical technique using antiserotonin serum to detect the cell bodies of 5HT-containing neurons.

Positively stained 5HT neurons were clearly demonstrated in the brainstem of all fetuses examined. They varied in shape, showing round to oval cell bodies with unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar processes. A large number of 5HT neurons were located in the midline raphe nuclei. In addition, numerous 5HT neurons were observed widely in the other tegmental areas. The nuclei containing 5HT neurons were listed according to the terminology by Olszewski and Baxter for human brainstem, and an atlas was given.

The distribution of 5HT neurons in the raphe nuclei of human fetuses was essentially similar to those of many mammals already reported. However, the lateral extension of 5HT neurons to the other tegmental areas beyond the midline raphe nuclei was much greater in human fetuses compared to other mammals.

References (29)

  • A Dahlström et al.

    Evidence for the existence of monoamine-containing neurons in the central nervous system. I. Demonstration of monoamines in the cell bodies of brain stem neurons

    Acta Physiol Scand

    (1964)
  • Y Takeuchi et al.

    Immunohistochemical demonstration of the distribution of serotonin neurons in the brainstem of the rat and cat

    Cell Tissue Res

    (1982)
  • J Olszewski et al.

    Cytoarchitecture of the human brain stem

    (1982)
  • NS Ranadive et al.

    Antibodies to serotonin

    Can J Biochem

    (1967)
  • Cited by (61)

    • Serotonin and development

      2020, Handbook of Behavioral Neuroscience
      Citation Excerpt :

      Very early on, serotonin neurons are distributed in association with cranial nerve nuclei and reticular formation nuclei associated with respiration and blood pressure regulation (Kinney, Belliveau, Trachtenberg, Rava, & Paterson, 2007). By at least 20 weeks of gestation (Kinney et al., 2007) or as early as 15 weeks (Takahashi, Nakashima, Ohama, Takeda, & Ikuta, 1986), the typical organization of serotonin cell bodies into the raphe nuclei can be seen. The number of serotonergic cells shows a reduction as fetal development continues (Shen et al., 1989).

    • Neurodevelopmental roles and the serotonin hypothesis of autism spectrum disorder

      2019, The Serotonin System: History, Neuropharmacology, and Pathology
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text