SUBSTANCE-P IMMUNOREACTIVE ELEMENTS IN THE NERVOUS-SYSTEM OF EARTHWORM (LUMBRICUS-TERRESTRIS)

Substance P immunoreactive elements were detected in the nervous syste m of the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris using peroxidase-antiperoxida se method. Each part of the central nervous system contains immunoreac tive perikarya. The central neuropil shows no stained fibers. Immunopo sitive nerve cells were found in the stomatogastric ganglia as well as nerve cells and fibers in the wall of the alimentary canal. In the bo dy wall, epidermal sensory cells and fibers surrounding the chaetae di splay imunoreactivity. The results are compared with those described p reviously by other authors.