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PubMed1984

Cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord of the rat: a light and electron microscopic study.

Cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity was investigated with an indirect immunoperoxidase technique in the whole spinal cord with the light microscope and in the dorsal horn with the electron microscope. Intraparenchymal injections of colchicine were performed to allow the detection of cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive cell bodies. Rats treated at birth with capsaicin were also studied at the light microscope. Numerous cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive fibres and varicosities were found in the two superficial layers of the dorsal horn and in the intermedio-medial nucleus; cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive cell bodies were also present in these two regions. After neonatal capsaicin treatment, the number of cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive fibres and varicosities was strongly reduced in the dorsal horn. At the electron microscope level, cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity was localized in numerous neurites often filled with vesicles (axon terminals and dendrites containing vesicles) and in few cell bodies and dendrites. The immunoreaction was found mainly associated with ribosomes, granular reticulum, neurotubules and vesicles. Large granular vesicles were filled with the reaction product whereas small and medium-sized vesicles showed a varying degree of immunoprecipitate around their membrane. In addition dense "granules" of precipitate were observed in numerous presynaptic neurites. Cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive axons were of small calibre and mostly unmyelinated. Cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive axon terminals made asymmetric synaptic contacts with generally unlabelled dendrites or dendritic spines. A single labelled nerve terminal could contact several different dendrites in structures resembling glomeruli. Few axo-somatic synapses but a relatively high number of axo-axonic contacts were seen. About half of these axo-axonic contacts involved pre- and postsynaptic profiles. Both light and electron microscopic observations led us to the conclusion that some of the cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive fibres of the dorsal horn originate in the spinal ganglia via capsaicin-sensitive C afferents; and some from intrinsic neurons, particularly islet cells. Other fibres may come from supraspinal centres, other local neurons or capsaicin-insensitive afferents from the spinal ganglia. The results are discussed with regard to data in the literature, particularly those concerned with the specificity of the cholecystokinin antibodies; it is hypothesized that several types of cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive peptides may be present in the dorsal horn, depending on their origin (supraspinal, intrinsic or peripheral).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1995

A conserved enhancer of the human and murine Hoxa-7 gene specifies the anterior boundary of expression during embryonal development.

The murine homeobox-containing gene Hoxa-7 is expressed in restricted patterns during embryogenesis and plays an important role in the control of region-specific differentiation. Previous studies have shown that separate elements specify lineage restriction and expression boundaries of Hoxa-7. In particular 3.6 kb of 5' flanking sequences were sufficient to establish an anterior boundary of Hoxa-7 gene expression. To identify the minimal regulatory element specifying the anterior boundary of expression, transgenic mice were generated carrying chimeric constructs with deletions of 5' flanking sequences fused to a thymidine kinase minimal promoter/E. coli lacZ reporter construct. By deletion analysis, a 470 bp long control element (AX 470) located 1.6 kb upstream of the transcription start site was identified that directed expression of the beta-galactosidase protein in a pattern reflecting the anterior boundary of expression of the endogenous Hoxa-7 gene. This element was active in either orientation and conferred region-specific expression to unrelated promoters, thereby behaving like an enhancer element. In contrast, transgenic mice carrying further 5' and 3' deletions of the 470 bp long element did not exhibit an anterior boundary of Hoxa-7 expression. Based on these results the minimal control element (AX 470) specifying the anterior boundary of Hox expression was designated as Hoxa-7 enhancer. Furthermore, 3 kb of the human HOXA7 upstream region were sequenced and compared to its mouse homologue in order to identify conserved regions. Sequence comparison revealed motifs that were strongly conserved between both species. The human homologue of the mouse Hoxa-7 enhancer was 70% identical at the nucleotide level and was also capable of directing an anterior boundary in transgenic mice. Using transgenic lines a detailed analysis of the Hoxa-7 enhancer-directed expression during embryogenesis was performed. lacZ expression was first detected in the allantois at day 7.5 p.c. and in mesoderm and ectoderm at day 8.5 of gestation. Between gestational ages E8.5 to E12.5 beta-gal expression was observed in the somites, spinal cord, spinal ganglia and paraxial mesoderm as well as in mesenchymal layers of the kidney. A distinct anterior limit of expression was noted in transgenic lines at level C4 (neural tube) and C5 (spinal ganglia). Our deletion experiments defined a minimal enhancer element specifying the anterior boundary of Hox gene expression in early and late phases of development. Further studies aim at characterizing the trans-acting factors that mediate the spatial and temporal expression of Hox genes in the developing embryo.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

[Necroses in the granular cell layer of the cerebellum due to methylchloride intoxication in guinea pigs (author's transl)].

QUESTION: Neurotoxic action of methylchloride was reported by various authors. As this solvent is widely used in chemical industry the morphological changes in the CNS of guinea pigs due to methylchloride intoxication were comparatively studied by light- and electron-microscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 19 guinea pigs of both sexes (body weight 300-600 g) were individually exposed to inhalation of methylchloride mixed to normal breathed air in a 2 Vol.-% amount in a pressurised vessel of 20,000 cm3 volume (details on the experimental arrangement see VOLK 1973) for each 10 min 6 times a week. 3 control animals were fed like the experimental animals and exposed to normal breathing air for the same time in the pressurised vessel. The experimental period varied between 7 and 70 days, the number of inhalations was between 6 and 61. At the end of the experiment the animals were sacrificed by perfusion with 3% buffered glutaraldehyde under Thiogenal anesthesia. For light microscopy paraffin sections were prepared from tissue samples of the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, mesencephalon, spinal medulla and spinal ganglia (stainings: HE; Turnbull's blue; Nissl; Klüver-Barrera; Mallory; Bodian and Kossa). For electron microscopy tissue blocks of the cortex, corpus callosum, striatum, mesencephalon and cerebellum as well as of spinal medulla and spinal ganglia were postfixed in 1% OsO4 and embedded in Araldit in the common way. RESULTS: Clinical observations--9 animals showed normal behaviour after 32 inhalations in 37 days.--6 animals displayed staggering, atactic moving of the head, retardation in spontaneous reactions and mobility. Ataxia and paresis of the hind legs occurred earliest after 17 inhalations. 4 animals showed all these symptoms only after 25 days. Morphological findings: Macroscopy: Occurrence of necroses in the cerebellar cortex was mainly observed in the lower part of the vermis; pressings of tissue in the occipital foramen, tissue swellings around the aqueduct and consecutive enlargement of the lateral ventricles occurred. Light microscopy: Changes in the Stratum granulosum in the lower part of the vermis as pyknosis of the cell nuclei and hydropic swelling of the cytoplasm (fig. 1a) were seen after 10 days. Focal necroses of the granular layer as well as "Status spongiosus" and edema occurred after 21 days (fig. 1b). In later phases these alterations were also present in other regions of the vermis and of the cerebellum, too. Furthermore, edema of the Lamina dissecans, hydropic swelling of the Bergmann's glia and marked edematous transformation of the molecular layer were observed. In this phase the hitherto intact Purkinje cells responded to the intoxication by homogenization of the cytoplasm and cell necroses. Electron microscopy: Initially an increase in density of the nuclear chromatin of the granular cells was observed associated with formation of homogeneous electron dense chromatin fragments which were finally released to the perikaryon (figs. 2a, 2b)...

Animals↗

PubMed1955

Allergic neuritis: an experimental disease of rabbits induced by the injection of peripheral nervous tissue and adjuvants.

In experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), produced by injecting rabbits with whole rabbit spinal cord together with tubercle bacilli and mineral oil, lesions comparable to those seen in the central nervous system are found in the nerve roots, spinal ganglia, and peripheral nerves. When special fractions of bovine white matter are used as antigen in rabbits, the same distribution of lesions is seen but peripheral nerve involvement is relatively less frequent. When rabbit sciatic nerve or spinal ganglia are used as antigen in rabbits, lesions occur only in the roots, ganglia, and peripheral nerves. Lesions are not produced in the central nervous system, nor is there a meningitis. This disease picture has been called experimental allergic neuritis (EAN). The antigenicity of rabbit nerve is not impaired by autoclaving. Sciatic nerve of other mammalian species produces the same disease in rabbits as does rabbit nerve. Optic nerve, used as antigen, produces the typical picture of EAE, not EAN. The optic nerves are not affected in EAN, whereas they commonly contain lesions in EAE. There are differences of symptomatology, referable to the difference in distribution of lesions, between EAE and EAN. The spinal fluid of EAE shows an increase both in the number of cells and in the total protein content. In EAN, the same changes in protein are observed, but usually the cell count remains normal. The cell count appears to be related to the involvement of cerebral and spinal meninges, which is an almost invariable accompaniment of EAE. The skin tests and serologic studies made with homologous and heterologous antigens were essentially non-contributory, apparently as a consequence of the diversity of antigens present in the inoculated materials. The similarity between EAN and certain of the human polyneuritides is indicated and discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Afferent innervation in the cervical region of the esophagus and trachea in early postnatal ontogenesis].

Method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase was used to study the afferent innervation of trachea and esophagus cervical portion in the neonatal, 10-, 20- and 30-days old kittens. Labeled neurons in all the animals were localized in the vagal caudal sensory ganglion and CI-CVI spinal ganglia both in right and left sides. The major role in the innervation of trachea and esophagus cervical portion in kittens from the moment of their birth till postnatal day 20, is played by the cells of spinal ganglia, while at day 30 these are neurocytes of the vagal ganglia. No significant differences were found in the number of neurocytes, innervating the trachea and the esophagus.

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMed1990

An immunohistochemical study of the topography and cellular localization of three neural proteins in the sheep nervous system.

The peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) method was used to determine the topography and cellular localization of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), myelin basic protein (MBP) and carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) in the central nervous system (CNS), dorsal root ganglia and dorsal and ventral spinal nerve roots of the sheep. Parallel studies of mouse brain provided comparative data. Several fixatives were compared for their relative merits in preserving marker protein expression: GFAP was well preserved irrespective of the fixative employed; MBP was best preserved in formal sublimate and CAII was best preserved in Carnoy's fluid. In sheep, GFAP expression was seen in protoplasmic and fibrous astrocytes, Bergmann glial cells, a proportion of ependymal cells, amphicytes of spinal ganglia and in a proportion of presumed Schwann cells of dorsal and ventral spinal nerve roots. MBP expression was seen in mature and developing myelin sheaths of the central nervous system and in the cytoplasm of sparse myelinating oligodendroglia of the sub-cortical white matter of the cerebrum. CAII expression was seen in choroid plexus epithelium in all ages of sheep studied and, in a young lamb and an adult sheep, in glia and neuropil of ventral horn grey matter of the spinal cord and in the cytoplasm of white matter glia, presumed fibrous astrocytes, throughout the CNS. Compared with sheep brain, mouse brain showed the following differences in marker protein localization. GFAP was weakly expressed by protoplasmic astrocytes and not expressed in ependyma, oligodendroglia expressing intracytoplasmic MBP were frequent and widespread in neonatal mouse brain, CAII was expressed in myelin and oligodendroglia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

PubMed2000

Fetal varicella syndrome: disruption of neural development and persistent inflammation of non-neural tissues.

Primary varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection during pregnancy is rare. If it occurs between the 8th and 20th week of gestation, fetal varicella syndrome results in 1-2% of the fetuses. We report about a varicella infection that affected a pregnant mother in the 12th week of gestation. At 33 weeks, a premature girl was born with destruction of neurons in spinal cord, spinal ganglia and plexus myentericus, and secondary developmental disturbance including mummification of one arm and segmental intestinal atresia. The brain did not show any abnormalities. However, VZV DNA could be detected by PCR in tissues from the brain and spinal ganglia. Chronic necrotizing inflammation was found in the placenta, fetal membranes, and one ovary. These locations showed nuclear inclusions which by in-situ-hybridization were proven to be VZV derived. This case demonstrates that in the fetal age, 'neurotropism' of VZV signifies severe destruction but not necessarily persistent inflammation of neural tissue. However, due to the inefficient fetal immune system, inflammation can go on for weeks, preferentially in non-neural tissues.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Purification of a sensory-specific protein of 35 kDa (SSP-35).

Protein purification is a key technique for the identification of novel sensory nerve-specific proteins. A 35 kDa protein, the sensory neuronal specific protein, was isolated and purified from rabbit spinal ganglia and sensory fibers by homogenizing and deriving soluble extracts, followed by ion exchange chromatography using DEAE-Sephacel and gel filtration HPLC. Western blot analysis showed that the protein was present in spinal sensory ganglia but not in spinal motor neurons with anti-rat 35 kDa protein polyclonal antibody. The sensory-specific protein 35 kDa is termed SSP-35 in this paper. We found that the purified SSP-35 promoted axonal growth of the dorsal root ganglia of chick E8 embryos. Our data reveal that the protocol is an effective method for the purification of SSP-35. The protein may not only be a useful marker for sensory neurons, but also a possible tool to study the regeneration and function of sensory neurons.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Nerve growth factor receptor immunoreactivity in the neuronal perikarya of human sensory and sympathetic nerve ganglia.

We examined immunohistochemically the dorsal root ganglia, sympathetic ganglia, spinal cord, ventral and dorsal roots, and sciatic nerves obtained at autopsy from adult humans, using a monoclonal antibody against the human nerve growth factor receptor. We observed labelling in a granular pattern in the neuronal perikarya of dorsal root and sympathetic nerve ganglia. Ventral horn cells and axons were not labelled.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1996

Endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor is anterogradely transported in primary sensory neurons.

Neurotrophins are a family of proteins which act as survival and differentiative factors in the developing and mature nervous system. Extensive evidence has been provided for their retrograde action following incorporation into nerve terminals and transport to the cell body. In contrast, we now demonstrate that one neurotrophin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, is transported anterogradely via both peripheral and central processes of spinal sensory neurons. Using newly generated antisera, we have examined the distribution of brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity and found it to be present within a subpopulation of sensory somata, primarily those with a small-to-medium diameter. The immunoreactivity was accumulated on both the distal and proximal sides of a ligature on the sciatic nerve. The accumulation on the distal side, but not on the proximal side, was substantially reduced by pretreatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor antibodies in vivo. In contrast to the periphery, the immunoreactivity only accumulated on the proximal side of a lesion of the dorsal root. In the spinal cord, most nerve terminals immunoreactive for brain-derived neurotrophic factor were identified in lamina II. Lesion of the dorsal root led to a reduction of these nerve terminals. These studies indicate that the factor is transported not only retrogradely to, but also anterogradely from, the spinal ganglia to terminals in the periphery and spinal cord. The findings add a new dimension to the role of neuronal growth factors, since anterograde transport has not been observed previously for any endogenous survival factor.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

The human vertebral column at the end of the embryonic period proper. 2. The occipitocervical region.

The present investigation of the cervical region of the vertebral column at eight post-ovulatory weeks is the first such study based on precise reconstructions of staged embryos. At the end of the embryonic period proper, a typical vertebra is a U-shaped piece of cartilage characterized by spina bifida occulta. The notochord ascends through the centra and leaves the dens to enter the basal plate of the skull. The median column of the axis comprises three parts (designated X, Y, Z) which persist well into the fetal period. They are related to the first, second and third cervical nerves, respectively. Part X may project into the foramen magnum and form an occipito-axial joint. Part Z appears to be the centrum of the axis. The articular columns of the cervical vertebrae are twofold, as in the adult: an anterior (atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial) and a posterior (from the lower aspect of the axis downwards). Alar and transverse ligaments are present. Cavitation is not found in the embryonic period in either the atlanto-occipital or zygapophysial joints, and is generally not present in the median atlanto-axial joint either. Most of the transverse processes exhibit anterior and posterior tubercles. An 'intertubercular lamella' may or may not be present, i.e. the foramina transversaria are being formed around the vertebral artery. The spinal ganglia are generally partly in the vertebral canal and partly on the neural arches, medial to the articular processes. During the fetal period, the articular processes shift to a coronal position and this alteration appears to be associated with a corresponding change in the location of the spinal ganglia.

Atlanto-Axial Joint↗

PubMed1980

Sensitivity of several cell systems to acrylamide.

Chick spinal ganglia, chick muscle cells combined with mouse spinal cord explants, C1300 neuroblastoma cells, Chinese hamster ovary cells and newborn rat cerebral cells were exposed to various concentrations of acrylamide in culture. Four morphological and 1 electrophysiological parameters were applied in order to score toxic effects. It appeared that the neurite formation of rat cerebral neurons was the most sensitive criterion showing an effect at 10(-7) M acrylamide.

Acrylamides↗

PubMed1985

Fetus-in-fetu: report of a case.

A 5 month-old female was brought to our clinic because of diarrhea and abdominal distension. A plain radiograph demonstrated a mass with a vertebral column in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. At operation a mass was found to be retroperitoneal, well encapsulated, and connected to the abdominal aorta of the host by two small vessels; no other connections and adhesions were seen between the mass and the host. The ovaries, uterus, and other pelvic and abdominal viscera of the host were normal. The mass was diagnosed as a fetus-in-fetu. The fetus-in-fetu, encapsulated with an amniotic capsule, was covered with skin and had a top with long hair, two protuberances, an amniotic hernial sac, upper limbs with syndactylic fingers, a gluteal region, and lower limbs with polysyndactylic toes. A brain mass and a spinal cord were identified in the cranial cavity and the vertebral canal. Several spinal ganglia and a nerve plexus were found. A noselike structure, upper lip, maxillalike bone with teeth, tonguelike structure, intestines, ribs, bones of the extremities, and skeletal muscles were also identified. A cloacalike cyst was observed to have an opening in the external female genitalia. Microscopically, a small number of motor neurons were seen in the brain mass and the anterior horn of the spinal cord. In the spinal ganglia, ganglion cells were differentiated. The submucosal and myenteric plexuses were seen in the intestinal wall. Well-differentiated muscle fibers were often accompanied with myelinated nerve fibers. Hematopoiesis was observed in the cranial bone marrow. The presence of the sex chromatin was confirmed in the nuclei of motor neurons and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Thus, the present fetus-in-fetu, which was connected to the abdominal aorta of the host by two vessels, was a monozygotic twin which developed within its own amniotic cavity.

Congenital Abnormalities↗

PubMed1987

Sensory nerves containing tachykinins and CGRP in the lower airways. Functional implications for bronchoconstriction, vasodilatation and protein extravasation.

Several tachykinins (SP, NKA and NPK) are colocalized with CGRP-LI in nerve fibres supplying bronchial smooth muscle, close to and within the lining epithelium, around blood vessels and around local tracheo-bronchial ganglion cells in animals and man. SP-IR and CGRP-IR were also present in the same cells of jugular, nodose and thoracic spinal ganglia but only in nerve fibres in local parasympathetic ganglia and the stellate ganglia, suggesting a sensory origin. After capsaicin treatment there was a selective and nearly total loss of SP- and CGRP-IR nerves in the airways in parallel with a reduction in the corresponding tissue content. Capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves containing SP-IR in the trachea had a predominant vagal component while in the peripheral airways SP-IR nerves had a dual origin from the vagal nerves and from thoracic spinal ganglia via the stellate ganglia and sympathetic pathways. CGRP-IR, but not SP-LI, was also present in epithelial endocrine cells. A Ca2+-dependent release of tachykinin-LI and CGRP-LI was demonstrated upon perfusion of the guinea-pig lung with K+ as well as capsaicin. Other substances such as bradykinin, histamine and the nicotinic receptor agonist DMPP were also able to induce overflow, suggesting the release of both SP-LI and NKA-LI. The material released upon stimulation with capsaicin was further characterized by HPLC, and the main peak of the immunoreactivity co-eluted with ELE, a smaller peak eluted in the position of NKA, but no clear evidence for the release of material co-eluting with NPK was observed. This suggests that SP and NKA are the main tachykinins released from sensory nerves, while the nature of the ELE-LI remains to be further clarified. Upon i.v. infusion in the guinea-pig in vivo, the disappearance rate of SP-LI and NKA-LI showed half-lives of less than 2 min, while NPK-LI disappeared from the blood in a biphasic manner with two half-lives of 0.9 and 6 min, respectively. NPK given i.v. was converted into NKA-LI. In guinea-pig plasma in vitro, NKA-LI and NPK-LI were stable for 10 min, while SP-LI disappeared rapidly with a half-life of about 10 s. The long half-life of NPK-LI in vivo was also accompanied by a more long-lasting bronchoconstrictor effect of NPK compared to SP. Thus, the differences in pharmacokinetical properties makes it difficult to draw major conclusions about tachykinin receptor subtypes based on biological potencies in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Maintenance of somite borders in mice requires the Delta homologue DII1.

During vertebrate embryonic development, the paraxial mesoderm is subdivided into metameric subunits called somites. The arrangement and cranio-caudal polarity of the somites governs the metamerism of all somite-derived tissues and spinal ganglia. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying somite formation, segment polarity, maintenance of segment borders, and the interdependency of these processes. The mouse Delta homologue Dll1, a member of the DSL gene family, is expressed in the presomitic mesoderm and posterior halves of somites. Here we report that, in Dll1-deficient mouse embryos, a primary metameric pattern is established in mesoderm, and cytodifferentiation is apparently normal, but the segments have no cranio-caudal polarity, and no epithelial somites form. Caudal sclerotome halves do not condense, and the pattern of spinal ganglia and nerves is perturbed, indicating loss of segment polarity. Myoblasts span segment borders, demonstrating that these borders are not maintained. These results show that Dll1 is involved in compartmentalization of somites, that dermomyotome and sclerotome differentiation are independent of formation of epithelia and subdivision of somites in cranial and caudal halves, and that compartmentalization is essential for the maintenance of segment borders in paraxial mesoderm-derived structures.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Functional connectivity of the transected brachial plexus after intercostal neurotization in monkeys.

Microsurgical reconstructions of brachial plexuses were performed on twelve monkeys by using ipsilateral intercostal nerves (T3-9). Reinnervation in individual nerves was evaluated monthly by observations of neuromuscular and electromyographic improvements. The electromyographic studies revealed reappearance of motor unit potentials. According to a motor scale ranging from 0 to 4, the mean muscle power 6 months after operation improved to 2.75 in the deltoid muscles, 2 in the biceps muscles, 1.22 in the triceps muscles, 1.13 in the flexor carpi radialis muscles, and 1.6 in the intrinsic muscles of the hands. Retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) from the neuromuscular junctions of the reconstructed musculocutaneous nerves 6 months after complete brachial plexus lesion in four animals demonstrated HRP-labeled neurons in the anterior horns, spinal ganglia and sympathetic ganglia of the thoracic spinal cords. It suggested that the regenerated afferent and efferent circuits in the thoracic cords innervating the transected brachial plexuses were able to generate the movements in the paralyzed upper limbs. However, as evidenced by the behavior patterns and the fact that retrograde-labeled neurons were all found in the thoracic cords, the novel movements observed in the reconstructed brachial plexuses were in synchrony with respiration. These results suggested that the plasticity of central neural networks is limited between two widely separated areas, such as between the midcervical and midthoracic motor cortical areas in the present studies, and therefore, the efforts to reconstruct neural networks, both centrally and peripherally, should aim at rebuilding situations as nearly to the original status as possible.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Abolition of vagino-cervical stimulation-induced analgesia by capsaicin administered to neonatal, but not adult rats.

We have previously reported that vagino-cervical mechanical stimulation (VS or probing) produces analgesia in rats. Neonatal treatment with capsaicin (CAP) has been shown to reduce the concentrations of several neuropeptides in dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord, and autonomic ganglia, via a neurotoxic effect. In the present study, we report that CAP administered in the neonatal period abolishes the analgesic effect of probing in adulthood. In addition, we report that the ability of VS to potentiate the lordosis response to manual stimulation of the flanks is abolished by neonatal CAP treatment. By contrast, rats treated as adults with CAP show the typical VS-produced effects of analgesia and potentiation of the lordosis response. Our results suggest that neonatal, but not adult, CAP treatment depletes a neuropeptide(s) that mediates the analgesia and lordosis-inducing effects of VS.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1983

Extrinsic innervation of the rat pancreas: demonstration of vagal sensory neurones in the rat by retrograde tracing.

The extrinsic innervation of the rat pancreas was examined using retrograde tracing with the fluorescent dye True Blue. Retrogradely-labelled cell bodies were seen bilaterally in the nodose ganglia, and in the spinal ganglia at levels T6-L2. Labelled cells were also seen in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, the nucleus ambiguus and the coeliac ganglion. Our results provide new and direct evidence for a vagal sensory innervation of the pancreas.

Animals↗