Immunohistochemical localization of calcium binding proteins and some neurotransmitters in myenteric plexus of goat stomach

Abstract

To understand the neurochemical properties of the gastric myenteric plexus of ruminants, the expression patterns of calbindin D-28k (CB), calretinin (CR), substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were explored in the Korean native goat. In gastric myenteric plexus, CB and SP immunoreactivity were observed in round- or oval-shaped neurons. CR and CGRP immunoreactivity were detected only in the nerve fibers. This immunohistochemical localization of CB, CR, CGRP and SP in the myenteric plexus of the goat stomach exhibited species-specific patterns. These findings suggest that these substances may be directly or indirectly related to the gastric functions of the goat stomach.

Fig. 1

CB immunoreactivity in the stomach myenteric plexus of Korean native goat. 1A: rumen, B: reticulum, C: omasum, D: abomasum. CB immunoreactivity is observed in both the nerve cell bodies (open arrows) and the fibers (arrowheads) (A, B and D), although only CB-IR fibers are observed in the omasum (C). bar = 50 µm.

Fig. 2

CR immunoreactivity in the stomach myenteric plexus of Korean native goat. 2A: rumen, B: reticulum, C: omasum, D: abomasum. CR immunoreactivity is observed only in the fibers (arrowheads) (A-D), and varicosities of CR-IR fibers are dominant in the reticulum (B). bar = 50 µm.

Fig. 3

SP immunoreactivity in the stomach myenteric plexus of Korean native goat. 3A: rumen, B: reticulum, C: omasum, D: abomasum. SP immunoreactivity is observed in both the nerve cell bodies (open arrows) and the fibers (arrowheads) (A, B and D), although only SP-IR fibers are observed in the omasum (C). bar = 50 µm.

Fig. 4

CGRP immunoreactivity in the stomach myenteric plexus of Korean native goat. 4A: rumen, B: reticulum, C: omasum, D: abomasum. CGRP immunoreactivity is only observed in the fibers (arrowheads) (A-D). bar = 50 µm.