Effect of denervation and/or reserpine-induced changes on adrenomedullary catecholamines in pigeon: a fluorescence histochemical study.

Splanchnic denervation of the left adrenal gland was made in adult pigeons of both sexes. Denervation of the adrenal medulla alone did not produce any appreciable change in adrenomedullary catecholamine fluorescence in pigeon. Reserpine, at the doses of 0.05 mg, 0.2 mg and 0.8 mg/100 gm body weight was injected in both innervated and denervated pigeons. Reserpine, at all doses, induced catecholamine fluorescence depletion from the innervated pigeon adrenal medulla. Denervation failed to affect reserpine-induced epinephrine depletion while it prevented reserpine-induced norepinephrine depletion only at a low dose of reserpine.