Calcitonin gene-related peptide- and substance P-like immunoreactive fibers in the spermatic nerve and testis of the dog.
In order to determine if calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) coexist in peripheral spermatic nerve fibers, we carried out a double-staining immunofluorescence study using confocal microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. CGRP- and SP-like immunoreactivity (LI) coexisted in the spermatic nerve trunk and in the single fibers running along the surface of the testis. The great majority of the SP-containing fibers also held CGRP-LI, although some fibers contained CGRP-LI without SP-LI. These observations are consistent with previous observations on testicular dorsal root ganglion neurons. Additionally, we carried out an immunogold silver staining for CGRP and found CGRP-containing nerve bundles, single nerve fibers and their nerve terminals. Some CGRP-containing nerve terminals were located very superficially in the tunica albuginea (<5 microm from the surface).
Tamura
R
R
Department of Neural Regulation, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan.
Hanesch
U
U
Schmidt
R F
RF
Kumazawa
T
T
Mizumura
K
K
D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis*; D004285:Dogs; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000294:innervation*; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis*; D013737:Testis / Q000294:innervation*
D013373:Substance P; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide