Neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive synapses in the intermediolateral cell column of rat and rabbit thoracic spinal cord.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the intermediolateral cell column of rat spinal cord segments T2-T3 and T8-T10 and rabbit segments T3-T6 were studied with light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. Plexuses of NPY-immunoreactive nerve fibers were found by light microscopy. NPY-positive synapses were present electron microscopically but non-immunoreactive synapses greatly outnumbered NPY-immunoreactive ones. In the lateral horn of rat T9, 30% of the vesicle-containing NPY-positive axon profiles formed synapses, 95% of which were axodendritic. These synaptic connections may mediate the effects of brainstem NPY neurons on the activity of sympathetic preganglionic neurons.
Llewellyn-Smith
I J
IJ
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia.
Minson
J B
JB
Morilak
D A
DA
Oliver
J R
JR
Chalmers
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*
D009478:Neuropeptide Y