title: NO-synthase-containing neurons of the pig inferior mesenteric ganglion, part of them innervating the ductus deferens.
abstract: The presence of nitric oxide-synthase (NOS) in neurons of the porcine inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG) has been investigated. A minority (about 1-3%) of the neurons were immunoreactive (IR) for NOS, the vast majority of which stained for neuropeptide Y (NPY) but not for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). A small subpopulation of prevertebral neurons, 1% of which stained for NOS or NADPH-diaphorase (NADPHd), projected to the ductus deferens, as demonstrated by retrograde tracing. Within the wall of the ductus deferens, NOS- or NOS/NPY-IR nerve fibres were found to innervate the smooth muscle or were closely associated with blood vessels. It is therefore suggested that nitric oxide might be involved in the regulation of local blood flow and muscular tone in the wall of the pig ductus deferens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Agricultural and Technical Academy, Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaleczyc
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Timmermans
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majewski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lakomy
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Scheuermann
mesh_terms: D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery / Q000294:innervation*; D009434:Neural Pathways; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D013552:Swine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000294:innervation*
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases