IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION OF NERVES AND NERVE-CELLS IN HUMAN AND PORCINE URETERS

There are divergent opinions about the origin of ureteral motility. It is either a myogenic or a neutral phenomenon. Furthermore, the existe nce of nerve cells in the ureter is also a controversial question. In the present study we applied immunohistochemical methods to human and pocine ureters in an attempt to clarify the mattern. As neuronal marke rs we used anti-PGP 9.5 and anti-NSE, and as a glial marker anti-S-100 . In the wohle mount preparations of pig ureter we observed two neuron al plexuses on both sides of the tunica muscularis. The inner plexus c onsisted of both nerve bundles and nerve cells, whereas the outer one did not contain any nerve cells. In the human ureter we found a gangli on with nerve cells beneath the tunica muscularis and the tunica adven titia.