Distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP) and galanin (GAL) immunoreactive nerve fibers in the seminal vesicle and prostate of the male sheep.
Double immunohistochemistry was used to determine the occurrence and distribution pattern of nerve fibres immunoreactive to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP) and galanin (GAL) in seminal vesicles and prostate of the male sheep. Numerous CGRP- and SP-immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibres were found in the mucosal layer and smooth musculature of the seminal vesicles and prostate. In both glands nerve terminals immunoreactive to CGRP were more numerous than SP-IR ones. The majority of CGRP-IR nerve fibers showed colocalization of this peptide and SP. In both layers of the seminal vesicle and prostate, rare nerve terminals immunoreactive to GAL were also found. Immunoreactivity to SP was also found in all GAL-IR nerve fibers. The presence of numerous CGRP- and SP-IR nerve fibers in the seminal vesicle and prostate of the male sheep suggests that these neuropeptides may be involved in the sensory transmission and/or control of smooth muscle contractility. On the other hand, a relatively low number of GAL-IR nerve fibers of the seminal vesicle and prostate suggest that this peptide may act as an anti-nociceptive agent. It cannot be excluded that, in the seminal vesicle, GAL may also be involved in the control of the smooth muscle fiber activity. The possible role of CGRP, SP and GAL in the regulation of functions of the accessory sexual glands needs to be determined in further physiological studies.
Department of Animal Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University, Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland. kamil10@tenbit.pl
Marcin Bartłomiej
MB
Arciszewski
D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis*; D019004:Galanin / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011467:Prostate / Q000294:innervation*; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000294:innervation*; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis*; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary
D013373:Substance P; D019004:Galanin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide