Sexual dimorphism in sympathetic preganglionic neurons of the rat hypogastric nerve.

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) applied to one hypogastric nerve labelled sensory neurons in T11-L3 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) bilaterally and preganglionic neurons (PGN) in the spinal cord segments T13-L3. An average of 130 small DRG neurons were labelled per animal (male or female). These were concentrated in the L1 + L2 DRGs (92%). About 75% were located ipsilateral to the site of HRP application. Central projections from DRG neurons were noted throughout Lissauer's tract and in the marginal zones (medial and lateral) near the borders of Lissauer's tract. A short projection was also seen extending to the dorsolateral funiculus. More than 90% of the preganglionic neurons were located in segments L1 + L2. Most of these were found in the dorsal commissural nucleus (75%) and most of the remainder were located bilaterally in the intermediolateral columns. Somewhat more intermediolateral neurons were labelled on the ipsilateral side than on the contralateral side. There were a few intercalating neurons and a very few funicular cells. An average of 415 PGNs were labelled in the male animals and 110 in the females, demonstrating a strong sexual dimorphism. No dimorphism was found in the sensory components.