Adrenergic neurons in sheep brain demonstrated by immunohistochemistry with antibodies to phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH): absence of the C1 cell group in the sheep brain.

Using immunohistochemistry with specific antisera against dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, we present the first description of the adrenergic structures of the sheep medulla oblongata. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-immunoreactive perikarya in the sheep brain are localized as described in the rodents (A1 and A2 groups) but their distribution is characterized by only one phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase immunoreactive cell body group, found in the nucleus tractus solitarius. This group corresponds to the C2 group previously described in the rat, but neither group C1 nor group C3 are found in the sheep with our method. Compared with rodents or primates, this animal presents a different pattern of central adrenergic innervation and could be an alternative model to study the central role of adrenaline in various physiological functions as different as swallowing or reproduction.