The weaver gene has no effect on the generation patterns of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons

To determine if the weaver gene has action on late-generated neurons in midbrain areas on postnatal day (P) 8 [H-3] thymidine autoradiography and tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry were combined in the same tissue section in homozygous weaver mice and normal controls. The experimental animals were the offspring of pregnant dams injected with [H-3] thymidine on embryonic days (E) 11-12, E12-131 E13-14 and E14-15. Both the span of neurogenesis and the neurogenetic timetables of dopaminergic neurons were similar between wild-type and homozygous weavers in all midbrain areas analyzed. No loss of late-generated dopaminegic neurons was observed. The cytoarchitecrure of the midbrain dopaminergic cell groups were also the same in both experimental groups indicating that cell migration, settling, and cytodifferentiation proceeds normally in spite of the presence of the weaver gene. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.