Quantitative distribution of GABA-immunoreactive neurons in cetacean visual cortex is similar to that in land mammals

Abstract

Sections of the anterior portion of the visual cortex in the lateral gyrus of the Black Sea porpoise were studied to determine the neuronal architecture and numerical density, and the distribution of neurons immunoreactive to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Cytoarchitecture and neuronal density are similar to those described in another cetacean, the bottlenose dolphin. GABA-positive neurons are distributed through all layers of the visual cortex but are especially dense in layers II and III, and comprise some 20% of the total neuronal population in this part of the cortex. The distribution of GABA-positive neurons is similar to that found in land mammals.