Immunocytochemistry of serotonin and galanin in the hypothalamus of the Japanese quail

We investigated the interaction of serotonin and galanin (GA) by a double immunostaining method in the Japanese quail. Serotonin-immunoreactive (IR) cells were located in the paraventricular organ (PVO) and infundibular nucleus (IF). The number of the cells under short-day photoperiod (SD) was less in the dark phase than in the light phase. GA-IR cells were found in the PVO, IF and median eminence. The number of GA-IR cells in SD was significantly greater than that in long-day photoperiod (LD). Numerous GA- IR varicose fibers ran along serotonin- IR cell bodies and nerve fibers in the PVO and IF of the same sections. Very few serotonin-IR fibers ran along GA-IR cell bodies and GA-IR nerve fibers in the ventral part of the IF. The present results suggest that the possibility of functional interaction takes place between serotonin- and GA- IR neurons in the PVO and IF.