Distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunofluorescence in guinea pig vestibular ganglia and sensory areas.
The distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-like immunofluorescence was analyzed in the guinea pig vestibular ganglia and end organs using a monoclonal antibody to TH. TH was chosen as a marker for the sympathetic fibers because TH regulates the first step of catecholamine synthesis by converting tyrosine to dopa. In the vestibular ganglia, there were TH-positive nerve fibers having distinct varicosities surrounding the vestibular ganglion cells. In the sensory areas, there was a sympathetic plexus in the subepithelial tissue of the saccule, the utricle, and the crista ampullaris. We speculated that the sympathetic innervation has a direct influence on the vestibular ganglion cells and diffuse influence on the capillary permeability.
Department of Otolaryngology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.
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Yamashita
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Bagger-Sjöbäck
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Sekitani
D000320:Adrenergic Fibers / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003051:Cochlea / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000166:cytology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013562:Sympathectomy; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000166:cytology*
D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase