Fine structure of serotonin-containing axons in the marginal zone of the rat spinal cord.
Descending serotoninergic systems in the spinal cord may be involved in antinociception. In this study 6 rat spinal cords were prepared for serotonin immunostaining and marginal zones (lamina I of Rexed) from the dorsal horn were examined with electron microscopy. Stained terminals were often seen to be closely associated with the somata of lamina I neurones or other unstained axon terminals, but seldom formed conventional synaptic junctions. It is concluded that serotoninergic systems in this region may influence the activity of these associated structures in a diffuse non-synaptic manner.
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D007106:Immune Sera; D007118:Immunoassay; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D007106:Immune Sera; D012701:Serotonin