title: Morphometry of peptide-containing nerves in gut muscle layers: a quantitative approach to the study of autonomic neuro-muscular junctions.
abstract: A method for the quantitative assessment of peptide-containing nerves in the gastrointestinal muscle layers is described. Tissue samples are sectioned obliquely, at 45 degrees, in the plane bisecting the long axes of longitudinal and circular muscle fibres, and peptide-containing nerve fascicles are revealed by immunofluorescence. Cross-sectioned fascicles are counted (number/area of muscle) and their length density per volume of muscle layer is calculated. The composition of immunostained nerve fascicles is also assessed, by counting peptide-containing fibres in each, while peptide transmitter co-distributions are studied in parallel using adjacent tissue sections. Thus, the approach described provides a means for the delineation of both quantitative tissue distribution and composition of autonomic neuro-muscular junctions in the gastro-intestinal tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Innocenti
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frongillo
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Polak
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide