Immunohistochemical studies on the coexistence of catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes and neuropeptide Y in nerve fibers of the porcine pineal gland.
The distribution of nerve fibers immunoreactive (IR) to catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H), and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) as well as neuropeptide Y (NPY), in the pineal gland of adult sows was investigated by the use of double-labeling immunohistochemistry. The porcine pineal gland was found to be supplied by TH-IR nerve fibers, the vast majority of which were also D beta H-positive. TH- and TH/D beta H-IR nerves were located mostly in the capsula and connective septa of the pineal gland, and their fine varicose branches terminated in the adherent parenchyma. NPY-IR fibers formed a loose network overlapping that was observed in the case of TH- and D beta H-IR fibers. Most of NPY-IR fibers were also positive for TH. The density of the fiber networks depended on the region of the gland. No PNMT-IR structures were observed.
Department of Animal Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, University of Agriculture and Technology, Olsztyn, Poland.
J
J
Kaleczyc
B
B
Przybylska
M
M
Majewski
B
B
Lewczuk
D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis*; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000032:analysis; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000294:innervation*; D013552:Swine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis
D002395:Catecholamines; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase