Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) - immunoreactive nerve fibres in the mammary gland of the pig

Amelia Franke-Radowiecka

Vol 62, No 3 (2003)

Short communication

Submitted: 2012-02-06

Published online: 2003-06-09

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Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) - immunoreactive nerve fibres in the mammary gland of the pig

Amelia Franke-Radowiecka

Folia Morphol 2003;62(3):267-270.

Vol 62, No 3 (2003)

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

Submitted: 2012-02-06

Published online: 2003-06-09

Abstract

Immunohistochemical studies have been performed to investigate the coexistence of VIP with dopamine-β-hydroxylase (D-β-H), vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), somatostatin (SOM) or neuropeptyd Y (NPY) within nerve fibres supplying the immature mammary gland in the pig. Generally, a moderate number of the VIP-immunoreactive (VIP-IR) nerve fibres were located in the nipple and parenchyma of the gland. VIP-IR fibres surrounded smooth muscle cells (SMC), blood vessels (BV) and lactiferous ducts (LD). Double-labelling immunohistochemistry revealed that some of VIP-IR nerve fibres also contained immunoreactivity to DβH. VIP/DβH-IR nerves were associated with BV and SMC and single fibres were observed around the LD in both nipple and parenchyma of the gland. VIP/VAChT-IR nerve fibres were not observed. The majority of VIP-IR fibres associated with SMC were also SOM-IR. Less numerous VIP/SOM-IR fibres supplied the BV and were located around the LD of the gland. A small number of VIP-IR nerves also displayed immunoreactivity to NPY. VIP/NPY-IR nerve fibres supplied the BV of the gland.