SOMATOSTATIN IN SYNAPTIC STRUCTURES OF SUBSTANTIA GELATINOSA OF THE SPINAL CORD / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The distribution of somatostatin (SRIF) in substantia gelatinosa of the rat spinal cord was studied by means of immuno-electron microscopy. The ultrastructural features showed that nerve terminals containing SRIF take part in forming presynap- tie elements of axe-somatic, axe-dendritic and axo-axonic synapses. The immune- reactive products locatl at the external membrane of mitochondria, around the small clear synaptie vesicles and in the large granular vesicles. Most of synaptic vesicles are round or ovoid in shape. Only a few of them are flattened. Based on the ultrastructural characteristics mentioned above and related experimental results the authors believe that SRIF in substantia gelatinosa of the rat spinal cord is probably involved as a neurotransmitter instead of neuromodulator.