A target specific pathway from nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive preganglionic sympathetic to superior cervical ganglion neurons innervating the submandibular salivary gland.
The correlations between nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-immunoreactive (NOS-ir) preganglionic sympathetic neurons (PSNs) in the thoracic spinal cord and the neurons in the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) were studied with special reference to target specificity. NOS-ir neurons were distributed in the intermediate gray of the spinal cord and most numerous in the intermediolateral subnucleus of the PSNs. NOS-ir PSNs received direct synaptic contacts from tyrosine hydroxylase-ir, 5-hydroxytryptamine-ir, gamma-amino butyric acid-ir, and phosphate-activated glutaminase-ir axons. A majority of PSNs projecting to SCG were NOS-ir but some were NOS-negative. Large SCG neurons surrounded by a dense network of NOS-ir axons from PSNs projected to the submandibular salivary gland. NPY-ir small SCG neurons devoid of NOS-ir PSN innervation projected to blood vessels. SIF cells in the SCG were NOS-negative and provided with a meshwork of NOS-ir axons. The present results suggest a subpopulation of SCG neurons may be concerned with a distinct functional category in the rat under the influence of NOS-ir preganglionic sympathetic neurons.
Chiba
T
T
Department of Neurobiology, Chiba University School of Medicine, Japan.
Tanaka
K
K
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009434:Neural Pathways; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology; D013266:Stilbamidines; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000294:innervation*; D017783:Superior Cervical Ganglion / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology*
C049774:2-hydroxy-4,4'-diamidinostilbene, methanesulfonate salt; D000906:Antibodies; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D013266:Stilbamidines; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase