Immunohistochemical localization of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes in the adrenal gland of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).
The present study investigated the cellular localization of 3 catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) to identify and analyze the localization of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) cells in the adrenal gland in the chicken using peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemical techniques. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in almost all adrenal medullary cells of the adult chicken. Dopamine beta-hydroxylase IR coincided with that of TH. Many medullary cells also exhibited PNMT IR, but PNMT-immunonegative cells were also observed. Tyrosine hydroxylase IR was localized in the E- and NE-containing cells, but PNMT IR was localized only in the E-containing cells. Approximately 69% of medullary cells were E-containing, and the remaining were NE-containing cells. The ratio of E- and NE-containing cells between the subcapsular and central zone was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Although cortical cells of the adrenal gland did not show TH-, DBH-, or PNMT-positive reactions, ganglia close to the adrenal gland showed TH, DBH, and PNMT immunoreactivities. These findings indicated the cellular localization of 3 catecholamine-biosynthesizing enzymes in chicken adrenal medulla and suggest that the majority of medullary cell are E-containing cells. The ratio of E cells to NE cells varies among the 3 zones in the adrenal glands of the chicken.
Kober
A K M H
AK
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan.
Aoyama
M
M
Sugita
S
S
D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism*; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
D002395:Catecholamines; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine