Immunohistochemical study of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the trigeminal ganglia of a crotaline snake Trimeresurus flavoviridis

J Vet Med Sci. 2004 Aug;66(8):1007-9. doi: 10.1292/jvms.66.1007.

Abstract

The immunoreactivity of constitutive endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was studied in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) of a crotaline snake, Trimeresurus flavoviridis. eNOS immunoreactivity was found in TG neurons of different sizes. The percentage of eNOS-positive TG neurons was significantly higher in the mandibular division than in the infrared-related divisions, the maxillary division and ophthalmic ganglion (p<0.001). These findings suggest that eNOS in the TG of crotaline snakes is involved in constitutive neurotransmission in the TG, and is minimally involved in processing in the infrared-sensory system.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endothelium / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Neurons, Afferent / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / physiology
  • Trigeminal Ganglion / metabolism*
  • Trimeresurus / metabolism*
  • Trimeresurus / physiology

Substances

  • Nitric Oxide Synthase