Ultrastructural observation of nerve fibers containing both substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide in the nucleus tractus solitarii of the rat: a combination of immunofluorescence and PAP methods.
Nerve fibers and their axon terminals with substance P (SP)-like and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity in the nucleus tractus solitarii were ultrastructurally characterized by a combination of immunofluorescent double staining and the PAP method. The axon terminals formed asymmetrical synaptic contacts with other non-reactive neuronal elements (perikarya, dendritic shafts and dendritic spines). Some terminals received synaptic inputs from non-reactive axon terminals. This suggests that some, if not all, afferents containing SP and CGRP are affected presynaptically by other afferents.
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis*
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D013373:Substance P; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide