Characterization of afferent and efferent galanin-containing nerve fibres in the porcine ovary.
Double-labelling immunofluorescence combined with retrograde tracing revealed three subpopulations of galanin-immunoreactive nerve fibres innervating the porcine ovary. The first group originated in ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia Th11-L5 and exhibited colocalization with substance P-, but not with tyrosine-hydroxylase- or dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-immunoreactivity. These fibres supplied primordial follicles and large arteries of the ovarian hilus. The second group, arising from the sympathetic inferior mesenteric ganglion, was galanin-immunoreactive, but non-reactive to substance P-, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase- or tyrosine-hydroxylase-antisera. Fibres of this type were sparsely distributed in the ovarian cortex. They were observed in connection with small cortical arterioles or in the ovarian cortical stroma. The third group of galanin-containing nerve terminals originated from postganglionic neurons located in sympathetic chain ganglia Th15-L3 and S1. Most of them contained tyrosine-hydroxylase- and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-immunoreactivity. This subset of galanin-positive nerve fibres was the least frequent and was almost exclusively associated with cortical arterioles. The findings are indicative of an involvement of galanin in autonomic and sensory neuronal functions in the ovaries, possibly control of follicle maturation and blood flow.
Majewski
Mariusz
M
Department of Clinical Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland. Mariusz.Majewski@uwm.edu.pl
Kaleczyc
Jerzy
J
Wasowicz
Krzysztof
K
Bossowska
Agnieszka
A
Gonkowski
Sławomir
S
Klimaschewski
Lars
L
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D019004:Galanin / Q000032:analysis*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010053:Ovary / Q000294:innervation*; D013552:Swine
D019004:Galanin