Distribution of somatostatin- and neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the porcine female reproductive system.

The localization and distribution of somatostatin and neuropeptide Y were studied in the porcine female reproductive system with the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Somatostatin-immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in different parts of the ovary and in the muscular membrane of the uterus as well as in the mesosalphinx. Somatostatin-immunoreactive neurons were detected in the inferior mesenteric ganglion. Neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity was present in a large number of nerve fibers distributed in different regions of the uterus, oviduct and ovary. The present results suggest that the porcine female genital organs receive innervation by somatostatin- and neuropeptide Y-containing nerve fibers, but their exact functional role remains to be established.