Peptidergic innervation of the major salivary glands of the ferret.
In parotid, sublingual and submandibular glands of the ferret, morphological correlates were looked for, using immunocytochemistry, to previous physiological findings showing parasympathetic "atropine-resistant" salivary secretion and neuropeptide-evoked salivation in this species. Nerve fibers storing VIP were numerous in association with acini, ducts and blood vessels, while the number of fibers storing substance P was moderate and those containing CGRP and galanin few; also the number of NPY-containing fibers was low around acini and ducts but relatively high around vessels. Sympathectomy eliminated all NPY- and almost all dopamine beta-hydroxylase-containing fibers. Parasympathectomy of the parotid gland resulted in a total loss of the VIP-containing fibers, and a profound reduction in the number of substance P- and CGRP-containing fibers.
Tobin
G
G
Department of Physiology, Lund University, Sweden.
Luts
A
A
Sundler
F
F
Ekström
J
J
D000818:Animals; D005289:Ferrets / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000294:innervation*
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins