Morphology and distribution of efferent vagal innervation of rat pancreas as revealed with anterograde transport of Dil

Abstract

Vagal efferent innervation of the pancreas was labeled by anterograde transport of Dil injected into the dorsal motor nucleus (dmnX). While over the entire organ only 19 +/- 3 (or 8 +/- 1%) of the 231 +/- 17 interlobular ganglia received Dil-labeled vagal fibers and terminals, the proximal duodenal lobe (or head) was significantly more densely innervated. Laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed further morphological details of the vagal terminals and their target ganglion cells. No vagal fibers or terminals were found in islets and acinar tissue.