Anatomical localization of afferent and postganglionic sympathetic neurons innervating the rat ovary.

The fluorescent retrograde tracer, True blue, was applied directly to either the superior ovarian nerve (SON) or the ovarian plexus nerve (OPN) in the rat. Afferent perikarya were located in lower thoracic-upper lumbar dorsal root ganglia and projected to the ovary via both nerve routes. Postganglionic sympathetic efferent perikarya were located in both prevertebral and thoracolumbar paravertebral ganglia and also utilized both the SON and OPN to reach the ovary. The significance of the dual origin of postganglionic sympathetic neurons innervating the rat ovary is not known.