PEPTIDERGIC INNERVATION OF THE BOVINE VAGINA AND UTERUS

The distribution of neuropeptide Y, substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, Leu(5)-enkephalin, bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide, c alcitonin gene-related peptide, somatostatin, cholecystokinin and cate cholamine synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta -hydroxylase was studied immunohistochemically in nerve fibres supplyi ng the bovine vagina and uterus. The nerves containing tyrosine hydrox ylase or dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y-immunoreactivity were particularly numerous in both organs. Substance P, vasoactive in testinal polypeptide and Leu(5)-enkephalin-containing nerves were less numerous whereas somatostatin and calcitonin gene-related peptide-imm unoreactive nerves occurred occasionally. Bombesin/gastrin-releasing p eptide and cholecystokinin immunoreactivities were not present in nerv ous fibers of the bovine uterus and vagina. Generally, the immunoreact ive nerve terminals, fibers, networks or nerve bundles were present be low the serous membrane, between smooth muscle cells of muscular layer s, around blood vessels, in the submucosal layer and below the luminal epithelium of the uterus and cervix.