Immunohistochemical localization of calcitonin gene-related peptide and bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide in nerve fibers of the rat, guinea pig and pig female genital organs

Abstract

The localization and distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) immunoreactivity were studied in the rat, guinea pig and pig female genital organs with indirect immunohistochemical technique. In the rat, guinea pig and pig, CGRP and GRP immunoreactivities were localized in nerve fibers of the uterus, ovary and oviduct. Generally, CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were intensely stained, while GRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers exhibited moderate immunoreactivity. The number of GRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers in these organs was lower in comparison with that of CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers. The pattern of distribution of these nerve fibers was very similar in different genital organs of all species studied. In the uterus of rat, guinea pig and pig, CGRP- and GRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers and nerve bundles were observed in the muscular membrane and around blood vessels. Some delicate CGRP- and GRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were also present in the submucous layer of the uterus. In the oviduct, CGRP- and GRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were seen in the muscular membrane, around blood vessels and in the submucous layer. In the ovary, CGRP- and GRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were distributed in medullary stroma, in close contact with blood vessels and between follicles of different stages of development.