Survey of neuropeptide-like immunoreactivity in the lamprey spinal cord.

The distribution of neural elements immunoreactive to several peptides with a possible messenger role was studied in the lamprey spinal cord by using an indirect immunofluorescence method. Different patterns of immunoreactive (IR) fibers were detected by antisera raised against cholecystokinin, metorphamide, bombesin, galanin, corticotropin-releasing factor, somatostatin, peptide YY, neurotensin, calcitonin and FMRFamide. Somatostatin-IR cell bodies were located around the central canal. All immunoreactivity could be abolished by preabsorption with the corresponding peptide. The results suggest that the lamprey spinal cord has several fiber systems containing peptides sharing immunogenic properties with mammalian neuropeptides.