Table 2.
Frequency of neurons expressing VGluT2 mRNA or TH in the SNR
| Bregma (mm) | Percentage of neurons expressing VGluT2 in the total counted neurons, mean ± SEM | Percentage of neurons expressing TH in the total counted neurons, mean ± SEM | TH neuron/VGluT2 neuron ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| –5.52 to –6.12 (100%) (n = 810) | 16.4 ± 2.2 (n = 133) | 83.6 ± 2.2 (n = 677) | 5.0 |
| –6.24 to –6.60 (100%) (n = 536) | 23.6 ± 3.0* (n = 129) | 76.4 ± 3.0 (n = 407) | 3.2** |
| Total | 19.0 ± 1.8 (n = 262) | 81.0 ± 1.8 (n = 1084) | 4.1 |
SEM, standard error of the mean. VGluT2 neurons and TH neurons were counted at two different levels of the SNR from five rats (22 sections at bregma –5.52 to –6.12 mm, and 16 sections at bregma –6.24 to –6.60 mm).
*
P < 0.05 for comparison with the neuronal population counted at bregma –5.52 to –6.12 mm (Mann–Whitney U-test).
**
P <0.01 for comparison with the TH/VGluT2 neuron ratio found at bregma –5.52 to –6.12 mm (chi-square test).
n = counted neurons. We did not find coexpression of VGluT2 mRNA and TH in a total of 1084 counted TH neurons.