Migration of bipolar subependymal cells, precursors of the granule cells of the rat olfactory bulb, with reference to the arrangement of the radial glial fibers.

In order to examine the relationship between radial glial fibers and the migrating bipolar subependymal cells which are considered to be post-mitotic precursors of granule cells in the rat olfactory bulb, the arrangement of radial glial fibers along the anterior lateral and olfactory ventricles was analysed by Golgi techniques, immunohistochemical demonstration of glial fibrillary acidic protein, and electron microscopy. In rats during their first 3 weeks of life, the bipolar subependymal cells migrate along the anterior lateral and olfactory ventricles into the center of the olfactory bulb, whereas the radial glial fibers radiating from the ventricular surface are arranged rather perpendicularly to the direction of migration of bipolar cells. Hence radial glial fibers in this region are not considered to act as guides for the rostralwards migration of subependymal cells.