Comparative morphology of the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area in the monkey, cat and rat

Four types of neurons were identified in the substantia nigra (SN) of the monkey, cat, and rat. The compacta-type neurons, characterized by unevenly distributed and intensely stained Nissl substance, display many shapes and sizes. The reticulata-type neurons, characterized by the presence of discrete Nissl bodies, are triangular or round. The intermediary-type neurons contain less intensely stained but more diffusely distributed Nissl substance. These triangular or fusiform neurons have thinner processes than the compacta- and reticulata-type cells. The globular-type neurons, characterized by a high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, are much smaller than the three other types of SN neurons. The total number of neurons of the SN, which is much greater in the macaque (n = 73,508) than in the cat (n = 38,366) and the rat (n = 22,532), is comprised mainly of the compacta type neurons (n = 62,624; 22,323; and 9,925 in the three species, respectively). The reticulata-type neurons are more abundant in the cat, and the intermediary and globular types are more numerous in the rat. The compacta-type neurons have a particular distribution in each species. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) contains numerous globular-type neurons and a number of compacta-like or transitional type neurons which constitute the foyer pédiculaire of the central linear nucleus and the paranigral nucleus. The rostral linear nucleus is unique to the cat brain.