Table 3.
Frequency of neurons expressing VGluT2 mRNA or TH in the SNL
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| –5.16 to –5.40 (100%) (n = 264) | 11.6 ± 3.5 (n = 39) | 87.0 ± 3.5 (n = 229) | 5.9 |
| –5.52 to –6.12 (100%) (n = 1162) | 34.0 ± 3.8* (n = 420) | 65.5 ± 3.8 (n = 749) | 1.8** |
| –6.24 to –6.60 (100%) (n = 308) | 45.2 ± 4.5* (n = 151) | 53.3 ± 4.5 (n = 161) | 1.0** |
| Total | 30.5 ± 2.7 (n = 610) | 68.5 ± 2.7 (n = 1139) | 1.9 |
SEM, standard error of the mean. VGluT2 neurons and TH neurons were counted at three different levels of the SNL from five rats (11 sections at bregma –5.16 to –5.40 mm, 22 sections at bregma –5.52 to –6.12 mm, and 10 sections at bregma –6.24 to –6.60 mm).
*
P < 0.01 for comparison with the neuronal population counted at bregma –5.16 to –5.40 mm (Dunn's post hoc test).
**
P < 0.01 for comparison with the TH/VGluT2 neuron ratio found at bregma –5.16 to –5.40 mm (chi-square test).
n = counted neurons. Fifteen neurons were found to coexpress VGluT2 mRNA and TH in a total of 1139 counted TH neurons.