目的:比较脑啡肽(ENK)在雄性黄雀与白腰文鸟发声核团和听觉中枢内的分布差异.方法:免疫组织化学方法测定ENK的分布,结合计算机图像分析仪检测免疫阳性细胞和末梢的灰度值.结果:(1)黄雀发声核团中ENK的阳性标记物明显比白腰文鸟丰富,差异显著.(2)在黄雀发声学习中枢X区的ENK阳性标记最多,发声高级中枢次之,发声运动中枢古纹状体栎核较少.(3)ENK在两类鸟的听觉中枢丘脑卵圆核壳区、中脑背外侧核壳区、耳蜗核等的分布相似.结论:ENK广泛分布于发声核团和主要听觉中枢内,可能对发声和听觉有一定的调制作用.黄雀比白腰文鸟善于鸣啭,发声核团内的ENK更丰富,提示ENK的丰富程度可能与鸣唱的复杂程度有关.
Objective: To compare the distribution of enkephalin(ENK)in the vocal and auditory nuclei of male Carduelis spinus and Lonchura Striata. Methods: The expression of ENK in the vocal and auditory nuclei was investigated by using immunohistochemical methods, and the value of gray density was measured by the image processing system. Results: (1) The distribution of ENK was significantly more in vocal nuclei; the gray density of ENK labeled cells or fibers were significantly higher in vocal center in male Carduelis spinus than that in males Lonchura Striata. (2) In male Carduelis spinus, ENK expression in area X was more than that in the high vocal center (HVC) and robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA). (3) In general, ENK immunoreactivity was quite similar in the auditory nuclei such as the nucleus ovoidalis shell (Ov shell) ; the shell regions of mesencephalicus lateralis, pars dorsalis (MLd shell) and the cochlear nuclei(nCo)in the 2 birds. Conclusion: ENK is widely distributed in the most vocal and auditory centers, and it may be involved in physiological functions of vocal and auditory. The distribution of ENK in vocal center is correlated with the complicacy of singing.