Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the female rat urogenital tract.
CGRP-immunoreactivity was found throughout the female rat urogenital tract by specific radioimmunoassay, and shown to be present in nerve fibres by immunocytochemistry. The highest concentrations of CGRP-like immunoreactivity were found in the urinary tract, with lower levels in regions of the genitalia. Chromatographic analysis of bladder and vaginal extracts on Sephadex G-50 columns and HPLC revealed at least three CGRP-immunoreactive peaks. The major peak emerged in the same position as synthetic rat CGRP. CGRP nerve fibres were associated mainly with blood vessels, non-vascular smooth muscle, squamous epithelium and uterine and cervical glands, and were particularly abundant in the ureter and bladder. CGRP-immunoreactivity was depleted by neonatal treatment with capsaicin and after surgical section of pelvic and/or hypogastric nerves. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that depletion occurred predominantly in the mucosal layer of the urogenital tract. These findings indicate a sensory function for most of the CGRP-immunoreactive nerves in the rat urogenital tract.
M A
MA
Ghatei
J
J
Gu
P K
PK
Mulderry
M A
MA
Blank
J M
JM
Allen
J F
JF
Morrison
J M
JM
Polak
S R
SR
Bloom
D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000032:analysis*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000032:analysis*
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D013373:Substance P; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide