Cells of the cat's perigeniculate nucleus (PGN), part
of the visual sector of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN),
provide GABAergic inhibition to the A and A1 layers of the dorsal
lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd) and, therefore, may control
information flow from the retina to the cortex. Previous
electrophysiological experiments suggested that the PGN may
be subdivided on the basis of ocular dominance thus reflecting
the afferent and efferent projections with lamina A and A1 of
the LGNd. The present study utilized the ability of wheat germ
agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) to be transported
transneuronally following intraocular injections in four cats
to examine whether there is any anatomical evidence for eye
specific layers within the PGN. Sections were processed with
tetramethylbenzidine. Light WGA-HRP transneuronal labeling of
LGNd collaterals and somata were seen in the PGN and very light
labeling (but not somata) was seen in the TRN. Neither the cells
of the PGN projecting to the LGNd nor the LGNd relay collaterals
within the PGN were clearly organized into nonoverlapping laminae
related to the eye specific layers of the LGNd. However, parts
of the PGN immediately adjacent to the LGNd appear devoid of
connections with lamina A1 thus creating a thin monocular segment
for the contralateral eye.