Ontogeny of neurotransmitter systems in the paracervical ganglion and uterine cervix of the rat.
BACKGROUND
The paracervical ganglia (PG) are components of the pelvic plexus that provides sensory and motor innervation to the reproductive system of the female rat. Several neurotransmitters including norepinephrine (NE), acetylcholine (ACh), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) are present in neurons of the adult PG and in axons innervating the adult uterus and uterine cervix. The current study was undertaken to describe the onset of immunoreactivity of these neurotransmitters and neuropeptides during development.


METHODS
Female rats, ages E18 to P36, were prepared for immunohistochemistry for TH (tyrosine hydroxylase, a marker of noradrenergic neurons), NPY, or VIP as well as the histochemical demonstration of acetylcholinesterase (AChE).


RESULTS
All four markers were detected in neurons of the PG at E18. Changes in the appearance of these markers from E18 to P36 reflected previously described growth changes in the PG. Axons containing AChE, TH, NPY, or VIP were first detected within the cervix at E20. Immunopositive axons first appeared as thick, unbranched structures at the outermost portion of the cervical myometrium. Over time, these axon bundles ramified to form discrete varicose axons. The ingrowth was similar for axons containing each of the four markers.


CONCLUSIONS
The relative density of each neuronal type in the PG was reflected in the density of axons containing the same marker in the cervix. Changes in neurotransmitter/neuropeptide staining of PG neurons or axons in the cervix were not observed as the animals approached puberty.
Sullivan
K A
KA
Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Traurig
H H
HH
Papka
R E
RE
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D007001:Hypogastric Plexus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase