OCCURRENCE OF AXONS WITH CERTAIN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL MARKERS IN TELEOST GINGIVA AND TEETH

The occurrence of axons with certain neurochemical markers in gingiva and teeth in the lower jaw of the cichlid Tilapia mariae was examined by immunohistochemistry. It was found that gingival and pulpal axons c an be labelled with antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide , substance P, tyrosine hydoxylase, neuropeptide Y, choline acetyl tra nsferase and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. It is concluded that b oth gingival and dental domains in T. mariae contain axons with sensor y and autonomic chemical phenotypes, the occurrence and distribution o f which are generally similar to the mammalian counterpart.