title: Distribution of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive perikarya and processes in the medulla of the cat.
abstract: Neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive (NPY-LI) perikarya and processes have been identified in the medulla of the cat. NPY-LI perikarya were found in 4 regions; (1) the medial N. of the solitary tract (MNTS), (2) the lateral tegmental field (LTF), (3) the ventrolateral medullary surface (VLMS), and (4) in the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactive (TH-LI) neurons were also found in the first 3 regions noted above. NPY-LI and TH-LI neurons had a similar morphology and distribution. NPY-LI and TH-LI neurons were counted in sections from 3 representative levels of the medulla. NPY-LI cells were most numerous in the LTF, especially at the level of the area postrema and more rostrally. The lowest number of NPY-LI cells was seen in the MNTS, particularly at a level caudal to the area postrema. NPY-LI cells were at least 3-fold less numerous than TH-LI cells at all levels of the MNTS, but there was a 27-fold greater number of TH-LI neurons at a level of MNTS caudal to the area postrema. In the LTF, NPY-LI cells were 2- to 5-fold less common than TH-LI cells. Approximately equal numbers of NPY-LI and TH-LI cells were counted in the VLMS at the level of the area postrema and rostrally. These data indicate that the majority of TH-LI cells in the MNTS of the cat probably do not contain NPY as a co-transmitter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Howard University, College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20059.
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Massari
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hornby
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Milner
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gillis
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gatti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase