Distribution of muscarinic receptor subtypes and interstitial cells of Cajal in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy dairy cows.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the distribution of muscarinic receptor subtypes M(1) to M(5) and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy dairy cows.


METHODS
Full-thickness samples were collected from the fundus, corpus, and pyloric part of the abomasum and from the duodenum, ileum, cecum, proximal loop of the ascending colon, and both external loops of the spiral colon of 5 healthy dairy cows after slaughter.


METHODS
Samples were fixed in paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Muscarinic receptor subtypes and ICCs were identified by immunohistochemical analysis.


RESULTS
Staining for M(1) receptors was found in the submucosal plexus and myenteric plexus. Antibodies against M(2) receptors stained nuclei of smooth muscle cells only. Evidence of M(3) receptors was found in the lamina propria, in intramuscular neuronal terminals, on intermuscular nerve fibers, and on myocytes of microvessels. There was no staining for M(4) receptors. Staining for M(5) receptors was evident in the myocytes of microvessels and in smooth muscle cells. The ICCs were detected in the myenteric plexus and within smooth muscle layers. Distribution among locations of the bovine gastrointestinal tract did not differ for muscarinic receptor subtypes or ICCs.


CONCLUSIONS
The broad distribution of M(1), M(3), M(5), and ICCs in the bovine gastrointestinal tract indicated that these components are likely to play an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal tract motility in healthy dairy cows. Muscarinic receptors and ICCs may be implicated in the pathogenesis of motility disorders, such as abomasal displacement and cecal dilatation-dislocation.
Stoffel
Michael H
MH
Division of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, 3001 Berne, Switzerland.
Monnard
Christel Wicki
CW
Steiner
Adrian
A
Mevissen
Meike
M
Meylan
Mireille
M
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D002417:Cattle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003612:Dairying; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic