Nowicki Marcin, Wojtkiewicz Joanna, Seremak Beata, Sulik Magorzata, Ostaszewski Jacek, Lewczuk Bogdan, Majewski Mariusz, Przybylska-Gornowicz Barbara
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland.
Folia Histochem Cytobiol. 2003;41(4):193-200.
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.
起源于颈上神经节并支配松果体的交感神经纤维在哺乳动物松果体活动的控制中起着最重要的作用。大多数支配松果体的交感神经元中也存在神经肽Y（NPY）和C型含肽（CPON）。在本研究中，采用免疫组织化学技术来证实酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）、多巴胺β羟化酶（DβH）以及NPY和CPON在供应毛丝鼠松果体的神经纤维中的存在和共存情况。研究使用了10只饲养在自然光条件下的两岁雌性毛丝鼠。松果体通过灌注固定。采用ABC免疫组织化学技术和免疫荧光标记法。在松果体以及后连合区观察到了TH免疫反应性（TH-IR）曲张神经纤维。在毛丝鼠松果体内，TH-IR神经纤维位于被膜和结缔组织间隔中。许多曲张的TH-IR分支穿透实质并形成一个网络，该网络在腺体近端区域密度最高。在松果体实质的中部和远端部分，观察到由细的曲张神经分支组成的细微网络。双重免疫染色显示，大多数TH-IR神经纤维对DβH或NPY呈阳性。在腺体近端区域观察到TH和DβH阳性的神经元样细胞。对CPON免疫反应的松果体神经支配模式与含有NPY、TH和DβH的神经支配相似。毛丝鼠松果体内含有TH、DβH、NPY和CPON的神经支配的特点是在腺体近端部分的密度高于中部和远端。毛丝鼠松果体的一个特殊特征是在腺体近端部分存在单个TH/DβH免疫反应性神经元样细胞。
