DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF NERVOUS-TISSUE AND PEPTIDERGIC NERVE-FIBERS IN ACCESSORY LACRIMAL GLANDS

Purpose. Demonstration of the distribution pattern of nervous tissue a nd the occurrence of neuropept human accessory lacrimal glands by mean s of immunohistochemical methods. Methods. Paraffin sections of tissue samples were incubated with antisera against protein gene product (PG P), S-100 protein (S-100), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP). The immunoreactions were visualized using both speci es-specific secondary antibodies and a streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC method). Results. PGP- and S-100-immunoreactive nerve fib ers were distributed in the entire intertubular stroma. In addition, m yoepithelial cells, a few clusters of tubulus cells, groups of wanderi ng cells, and scattered cells of the excretory duct system were S-100- immunoreactive. CGRP- and SP-immunoreactivity was found in a few nerve fibers in the intertubular glandular stroma with an association to se cretory tubules, blood vessels, intralobular ducts and excretory duct. Conclusions. These observations are in agreement with findings in the main lacrimal gland.