Localization of sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons innervating pancreas and spleen in the cat

Abstract

The localization of sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons innervating the pancreas and spleen was studied in the cat utilizing retrograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP). Injection of WGA-HRP into the pancreas resulted in retrograde labeling in the whole of the solar plexus, while injection of WGA-HRP into the spleen also resulted in heavy labeling in the celiac ganglia bilaterally. Only a few labeled neurons were distributed in the superior mesenteric ganglion. With respect to parasympathetic innervation, HRP-labeled pancreatic and splenic neurons were found throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV) bilaterally. Although pancreatic neurons in the DMV were mainly observed in limits rostral to the obex, splenic neurons were centered at the level of the obex.