Existence and coexistence of peptides in nerves of the mammalian ovary and oviduct demonstrated by immunocytochemistry

Abstract

The immunocytochemical distribution of substance P (SP), gastrin releasing peptide (GRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) was studied in the ovary and the Fallopian tube (oviduct) of rats, guinea-pigs, cows, pigs and humans. Generally, the nerve supply was better developed in the oviduct than in the ovary. GRP fibers were most scarce in all tissues. Nerves containing SP were particularly numerous in the oviduct of rat and guinea-pig, supplying the muscular wall and blood vessels. VIP and PHI coexisted in dense plexuses of nerves, not only around blood vessels but also in the follicular wall and the interstitial gland of the ovary, as well as within the smooth muscle layers and subepithelially in the oviduct. The general distribution of NPY was similar, but these immunoreactive nerves were even more numerous. Sequential staining for dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and NPY together with results of chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine suggested that NPY was stored in the noradrenergic sympathetic nerves.

Expression localisation and functional activity of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and their receptors in mouse ovary

“…Although VIP immunoreactivity has been found to be located in interstitial tissue and to be associated with blood vessels and theca layers of follicles in several species , Kannisto et al 1986, Hulshof et al 1994, and VIP mRNA has been detected in rat ovary (Gozes & Tsafriri 1986), we did not detect mRNA for VIP at any of the times considered. Therefore, our data are in agreement with the fact that this peptide has been shown to originate in extrinsic innervations.…”

Immunohistochemical characterization of efferent neurons innervating the oviduct in the pig located in the sympathetic chain ganglia

“…Double labelling immunofluorescence has shown a total colocalization of TH and DβH. This finding confirms the results of many histochemical studies reporting the relatively rich noradrenergic innervation of the oviduct in mammalian species studied (Brundin et al, 1969;Owman and Sjoberg, 1972;Paton, 1976;Chernaeva and Milenov, 1978;Kannisto et al, 1986;Wrobel and Kujat, 1993;Czaja et al, 1993Czaja et al, , 1996Czaja et al, , 2001bAnderson et al, 1993;Modin, 1994;Majewski et al, 1995). In mammalian species, the majority of adrenergic nerve terminals in the isthmal region are non-vascular, but located mainly in muscular membrane of the organ, whereas within the ampulla, these nerve fibres were predominantly related to blood vessels (Paton et al, 1977;Moawad et al, 1977;Wrobel and Kujat, 1993;Czaja et al, 1993Czaja et al, , 1996.…”

“…There are relatively many papers dealing with the distribution and chemical nature of efferent neurons innervating genital organs in animals (Brundin et al, 1969;Lakomy et al, 1983;Kannisto et al, 1986;Majewski et al, 1995;Czaja et al, 1996;Houdeau et al, 1998). However, the sources of origin of nerve fibres supplying reproductive organs in breeding animals have not been studied thoroughly (Welento et al, , 1987Flieger et al, 1984Flieger et al, , 1988Boratynski et al, 1988).…”

Ultrastructural Analysis of Lymph Node Innervation in the Rat

“…The small clear vesicles may then be presumed to contain neuropeptide cotransmitters, as has been described, e.g. in the oviduct, bv Kannisto et al [1986].…”