Substance P, somatostatin, and methionine enkephalin immunoreactive elements in the spinal cord of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus.

The occurrence and distribution of substance P (SP), somatostatin (SOM), and enkephalin (ENK) immunoreactive elements were examined in the spinal cord of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus. SP immunoreactive fibers and their varicosities were densest in laminae I and II, although they were also found within deeper regions of the dorsal horn. In contrast, the intermediate gray area, the area around the central canal, and the ventral horn, contained fewer SP immunoreactive fibers. The distribution of ENK immunoreactivity in the gray matter was similar to that described for SP although immunoreactive fibers were denser around the central canal and in the intermediate zone. Few SOM immunoreactive fibers were present in the dorsal horn, the area around the central canal, and the ventral horn. All three peptidergic immunoreactive elements were found in and around the nucleus of Terni, an autonomic area. Throughout the lumbosacral enlargement SP, SOM, and ENK immunoreactive varicosities were found adjacent to the lumbosacral sinus and in fibers traversing the glycogen body. In addition, at caudal lumbar and rostral sacral levels a plexus of SP and SOM immunoreactive fibers was observed to be in close relationship with presumed motoneurons.