title: Vasoactive intestinal polypeptidergic innervation and gastroenteropancreatic system: an immunocytochemical study in the hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus.
abstract: The pattern of the digestive vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-ergic innervation is described immunohistochemically in the hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus. This animal is a small-sized, wild, nocturnal, lower eutherian mammal whose gastrointestinal tract shows some similarities with the avian gut. The myenteric plexus of the stomach, the mucosa of the small intestine and the circular muscle layer of the large intestine are the best VIP-innervated structures. The pattern of the positive innervation is similar to that described in other mammals and in some bird species. The widespread diffusion of the neuropeptide in the gut is probably due to the importance of its functions in the digestive physiology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Structures, Functions and Technology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vittoria
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: La Mura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cocca
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castaldo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004064:Digestive System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000294:innervation*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000294:innervation; D006364:Hedgehogs; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000294:innervation*; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000737:chemistry / Q000294:innervation; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000737:chemistry / Q000294:innervation; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000737:chemistry*; D013270:Stomach / Q000294:innervation; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide