An immunohistochemical study of serotonin-containing nerves in the colon of rats.
The localization of the serotonin-like immunoreactive nerves of the rat colon was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry, utilizing an antibody against serotonin. In non-treated colons, serotonin-positive neuropils were consistently detected around the myenteric plexus. In pargyline-treated colons, serotonin-like fibres were demonstrated in association with either the small intramural blood vessels of the submucosa or the extramural nerve bundles. Treatment with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) permitted the visualization of additional serotonin-immunoreactive fibres around the large extramural blood vessels. Immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were demonstrated in the myenteric plexus of colons treated with 5-HTP or colchicine. From these observations, it is suggested that the serotoninergic nerves of the rat colon comprise both intrinsic and extrinsic elements.
D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000166:cytology; D009474:Neurons / Q000032:analysis*; D010293:Pargyline; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
D012701:Serotonin; D010293:Pargyline; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan