Study on the presence of the selected biologically active substances in nerve structures of the porcine pterygopalatine ganglion was performed with the use of immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. All neurons in the ganglion were ChAT-, VAChT-, NOS- and VIP- positive. However, some neurons displayed strong immunoreactivity, while in other neurons, immunoreactivity was moderate, or weak. Somatostatin (SOM) was present in approx. 11% of neurons. Tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH-positive) neurons were not detected, although in single nerve cell bodies, TH antibody revealed very weak staining which could be attributed to some residual TH immunoreactivity. Immunoreactivity to NPY was found in 25% of all neuronal perikarya while PACAP was present only in 2–3% of them. More numerous neurons (6%) contained immunoreactivity to GAL. No neurons stained for SP or CGRP. Numerous ChAT-, VAChT-, NOS-, VIP-, and PACAP-positive, scarce SP and CGRP-positive, single SOM-, NPY- and GAL-positive nerve fibers were observed throughout the ganglion. No TH immunoreactivity was found in the nerve fibres. RT-PCR detected strong signal of the transcripts of ChAT, SOM, NOS, VIP, NPY, PACAP, and GAL. Only very weak signal was observed in case of TH, SP and CGRP. No RT-PCR was performed for VAChT message.

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The presence and distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) receptor VPAC1 was studied in the ovary, oviduct and uterus (uterine horn and cervix) of the domestic pig using methods of molecular biology (RT-PCR and immunoblot) and immunohistochemistry.The expression of VPAC1 receptor at mRNA level was confirmed with RT-PCR in all the studied parts of the porcine female reproductive system by the presence of 525 bp PCR product and at the level of proteins by the detection of 46 kDa protein band in immunoblot. Immunohistochemical stainings revealed the cellular distribution of VPAC1 receptor protein. In the ovary it was present in the wall of arterial blood vessels, as well as in the ovarian follicles of different stages. In the tubular organs the VPAC1 receptor immunohistochemical stainings were observed in the wall of the arterial blood vessels, in the muscular membrane, as well as in the mucosal epithelium.The study confirmed the presence of VPAC1 receptor in the tissues of the porcine female reproductive tract what clearly shows the possibility of influence of VIP on the porcine ovary, oviduct and uterus.

The presence and distribution of substance P (SP) receptor NK1 was studied in the ovary, the oviduct and the uterus (uterine horn and cervix) of the domestic pig using the methods of molecular biology (RT-PCR and immunoblot) and immunohistochemistry.The expression of NK1 receptor at mRNA level was confirmed with RT-PCR in all the studied parts of the porcine female reproductive system by the presence of 525 bp PCR product and at the protein level by the detection of 46 kDa protein band in immunoblot. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the cellular distribution of NK1 receptor protein. In the ovary NKI receptor was present in the wall of arterial blood vessels, as well as in ovarian follicles of different stages of development. In the tubular organs the NK1 receptor immunohistochemical stainings were observed in the wall of the arterial blood vessels, in the muscular membrane, as well as in the mucosal epithelium.The study confirmed the presence of NK1 receptor in the tissues of the porcine female reproductive tract which clearly points to the possibility that SP can influence porcine ovary, oviduct and uterus.

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