title: Specific distribution pattern of nerve fibers containing catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and C-terminal flanking peptide of NPY (CPON) in the pineal gland of the chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger)--an immunohistochemical study.
abstract: The sympathetic nerve fibers originating from the superior cervical ganglia and supplying the pineal gland play the most important role in the control of the pineal activity in mammals. NPY and CPON are also present in the majority of the pinealopetal sympathetic neurons. In this study, immunohistochemical techniques were used to demonstrate the existence and coexistence of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH) as well as NPY and CPON in the nerve fibers supplying the chinchilla pineal gland. Ten two-year-old female chinchillas housed in natural light conditions were used in the study. The pineals were fixed by perfusion. ABC immunohistochemical technique and immunofluorescence labelling method were employed. TH-immunoreactive (TH-IR) varicose nerve fibers were observed in the pineal gland as well as in the posterior commissural area. Within the chinchilla pineal gland, TH-IR nerve fibers were located in the capsule and connective tissue septa. Numerous varicose TH-IR branches penetrated into the parenchyma and formed a network showing the highest density in the proximal region of the gland. In the central and distal parts of the pineal parenchyma, a subtle network, composed of thin varicose nerve branches, was observed. Double immunostaining revealed that the majority of TH-IR nerve fibers was positive for DbetaH or NPY. TH- and DbetaH-positive neuron-like cells were observed in the proximal region of the gland. The pattern of pineal innervation immunoreactive to CPON was similar to the innervation containing NPY, TH and DbetaH. The chinchilla intrapineal innervation containing TH, DbetaH, NPY and CPON is characterized by the higher density in the proximal part of the gland than in the middle and distal ones. The specific feature of the chinchilla pineal is also the presence of single TH/DbetaH-immunoreactive neuron-like cells in the proximal part of the gland.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland. virbius@uwm.edu.pl
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nowicki
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wojtkiewicz
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seremak
authors.forename: Magorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sulik
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ostaszewski
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lewczuk
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majewski
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Przybylska-Gornowicz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D002682:Chinchilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C048612:neuropeptide Y C-terminal flanking peptide; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase