An immunohistochemical study of the catecholamine synthesizing enzymes and neuropeptides in the female guinea-pig uterus and vagina. 1992

B S Mitchell, and E Ahmed
Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK.

The uterus and vagina of the guinea pig have been examined, region by region, for acetylcholinesterase, tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine beta-hydroxylase and aromatic amino acid decarboxylase activity, as well as for the neuropeptides, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, enkephalin and somatostatin. No acetylcholinesterase activity was localized in the uterus, though it was present in associated paracervical ganglion tissues. Of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity was found virtually throughout the reproductive tract, whereas aromatic amino acid decarboxylase activity was restricted in its distribution. Neuropeptide distribution was quite varied. Neuropeptide Y was found throughout the endometrium/submucosa but only in the muscularis of the vagina and not in the myometrium. Substance P was localized in the vagina and uterine horn, though not the body of the uterus. Vasoactive intestinal peptide was present in all regions of the endometrium/submucosa, but not in the myometrium of the uterine horn. Enkephalin and somatostatin were not localized in any part of the reproductive tract examined, apart from paracervical ganglion tissues. The types and significance of the nerves supplying the reproductive tract are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007150 Immunohistochemistry Histochemical localization of immunoreactive substances using labeled antibodies as reagents. Immunocytochemistry,Immunogold Techniques,Immunogold-Silver Techniques,Immunohistocytochemistry,Immunolabeling Techniques,Immunogold Technics,Immunogold-Silver Technics,Immunolabeling Technics,Immunogold Silver Technics,Immunogold Silver Techniques,Immunogold Technic,Immunogold Technique,Immunogold-Silver Technic,Immunogold-Silver Technique,Immunolabeling Technic,Immunolabeling Technique,Technic, Immunogold,Technic, Immunogold-Silver,Technic, Immunolabeling,Technics, Immunogold,Technics, Immunogold-Silver,Technics, Immunolabeling,Technique, Immunogold,Technique, Immunogold-Silver,Technique, Immunolabeling,Techniques, Immunogold,Techniques, Immunogold-Silver,Techniques, Immunolabeling
D009479 Neuropeptides Peptides released by NEURONS as intercellular messengers. Many neuropeptides are also hormones released by non-neuronal cells. Neuropeptide
D002395 Catecholamines A general class of ortho-dihydroxyphenylalkylamines derived from TYROSINE. Catecholamine,Sympathin,Sympathins
D004299 Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase Dopamine beta-Monooxygenase,Dopamine beta Hydroxylase,Dopamine beta Monooxygenase,beta-Hydroxylase, Dopamine,beta-Monooxygenase, Dopamine
D005260 Female Females
D006168 Guinea Pigs A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research. Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D000110 Acetylcholinesterase An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ACETYLCHOLINE to CHOLINE and acetate. In the CNS, this enzyme plays a role in the function of peripheral neuromuscular junctions. EC 3.1.1.7. Acetylcholine Hydrolase,Acetylthiocholinesterase,Hydrolase, Acetylcholine
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001142 Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases An enzyme group with broad specificity. The enzymes decarboxylate a range of aromatic amino acids including dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA DECARBOXYLASE); TRYPTOPHAN; and HYDROXYTRYPTOPHAN. Amino Acid Decarboxylases, Aromatic,Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase,Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylases,5-HTPase,5-Hydroxytryptophan Decarboxylase,Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylase,Hydroxytryptophan Decarboxylase,Tryptophan Decarboxylase,5 HTPase,5 Hydroxytryptophan Decarboxylase,Aromatic L Amino Acid Decarboxylase,Aromatic L Amino Acid Decarboxylases,Decarboxylase, 5-Hydroxytryptophan,Decarboxylase, Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid,Decarboxylase, Hydroxytryptophan,Decarboxylase, Tryptophan,Decarboxylases, Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid
D014018 Tissue Distribution Accumulation of a drug or chemical substance in various organs (including those not relevant to its pharmacologic or therapeutic action). This distribution depends on the blood flow or perfusion rate of the organ, the ability of the drug to penetrate organ membranes, tissue specificity, protein binding. The distribution is usually expressed as tissue to plasma ratios. Distribution, Tissue,Distributions, Tissue,Tissue Distributions

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