Neuropeptide Y in the female reproductive tract of the rat. Distribution of nerve fibres and motor effects.
Fluorescence immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of extensive systems of nerve fibres containing neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the rat's ovary, fallopian tube, uterine horns and cervix. The most prominent supply of NPY fibres was found in ther cervix, where they are associated with both vascular and non-vascular smooth musculature. Smooth muscle effect of NPY was studied in an in vitro model using circular cervix preparations from estrogen-treated sprayed rats. NPY onhibited in a dose-dependent way neurally evoked (tetrodotoxin-sensitive) contractions, but had no effect on resting tension. The nerve-induced contractions were blocked by atropine, the experiments thus suggest prejunctional actions of NPY in cholinergic nerves in the uterine cervix.
D000818:Animals; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000032:analysis*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009478:Neuropeptide Y