Distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive cells for neural in the hippocampus of pigeon after food-choice learning / Distribuição de celulas imunorreativas para sintase neuronal do oxido nitrico (nNOS) no hipocampo de pombos (Columba livia) apos aprendizagem de escolha alimentar

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2007

RESUMO

The hippocampus has fundamental role in spatial learning and memory processes. Functional and neurochemical analysis of the hippocampus are favored by evidence on spatial learning in mammals and birds. The present study examined the immunohistochemical expression of nNOS-positive cells in the hippocampus of pigeons (C. livia) after training in food location task. Animals were trained in one (EXP1) or five (EXP5) sessions or had one (CONT1) or five sessions (CONT5) of exposure to the experimental arena. The six trials sessions were conducted daily in one arena with 4 food bowls, one of which had food. Latency and accuracy of choise recorded. After behavioral tests, nNOS immunoractivity in hippocampal cells was analyzed. EXP 5 showed reduction imunoreactivity in hippocampal cells was analysed. EXP5 showed reduction in latency of choise ( F IND. 4,28 = 23,74; p <0,001) and increassis in correct choise ( F IND. 4,35 = 8,66; p <0,001) as function of the training. The expression of nNOS- positive cells was significantily higher in the dorsal hippocampus of EXP5 group as compared with the ventral hippocampus ( F IND. 4,22 = 104,79; p <0,001) and the other groups ( F IND. 4,28 = 10,17; p <0,001). The increases of nNOS immunoreactive neurons after learning of the food location suggest that nNOS is involved in processes of spatial learning and memory that are mediated by the dorsal hippocampus of pigeons

ASSUNTO(S)

nitric-oxide synthase aprendizagem espacial oxido nitrico sintase hipocampo (cerebro) hippocampus (brain) spatial learning

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