IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF NEUROPEPTIDES IN NERVE-FIBERS OF THE PORCINE VAGINA AND UTERINE CERVIX

The distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, Me t(5)-enkephalin-Arg(6)-Gly(7)-Leu(8), neuropeptide Y, calcitonin gene- related peptide and bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide was studied imm unohistochemically in nerve fibres supplying the vagina and uterine ce rvix of sexually immature pigs. Nerves containing neuropeptide Y- and )-enkephalin-Arg(6)-Gly(7)-Leu(8)-immunoreactivity were particularly n umerous in the uterine cervix and vagina. Vasoactive intestinal polype ptide- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing nerves were less numerous, whereas the bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide- and substan ce P-immunoreactive nerves were scarce in these organs. Generally, the immunoreactive fibres, nerve networks or bundles were distributed und er the serous membrane, among smooth muscle of muscular membranes, in the submucosal layer and under the luminar epithelium of the uterine c ervix and vagina.