DISTRIBUTION OF DOPAMINE-IMMUNOREACTIVE ENDOCRINE CELLS AND NERVE FIBERS IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF GUINEA-PIGS / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The distribution of dopamine-immunoreactive endocrine cells and nerves in the digestive tract of guinea-pigs was examined with the ABC immunostaining technique. Dopamine-immunoreactive endocrine cells were observed in the pyloric antrum, small intestine and colon. The highest density of the positive ceils was found in the duodenum. From the jejunum to the colon the number of immunoreactive cells gradually decreased. A similar population of the positive cells was seen in the antrum and colon. Dopamine-immunoreactive nerve fibres were mainly located in the lamina propria and submucosa of the digestive tract. There were more positive fibres in the small intestine than in the stomach and colon. The dense networks of immunoreactive fibres were demonstrated in the villi. Some positive nerve fibres penetrated into the superficial and glandular epithelia. This representation indicated that the epithelial cells were directly innervated with the dopamine containing nerves.