The intramural innervation of the rabbit upper urinary tract

APMIS Suppl. 2003:(109):18-22.

Abstract

The role of the autonomic innervation of the upper urinary tract for pyeloureteral motility is not completely understood. It is still debatable if the autonomic nervous system might play a modulating role on the ureteral peristalsis. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and regional variation of the intramural innervation using whole-mount preparations of the rabbit upper urinary tract. Whole-mount preparation was performed at upper urinary tracts of healthy rabbits. Immunohistochemistry was employed using Neurofilament (NF), Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH), Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT) and Substance P (SP) antibodies. NADPH-diaphorase and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry was carried out at the specimens. The stains were evaluated using brightfield, fluorescence and laser confocal microscopy. NF-, TH-, ChAT- and SP-immunoreactive (-IR) nerves formed distinct neuronal plexuses at the submucosal and muscle layers. Perivascular TH-, ChAT- and SP-IR fibres were demonstrated. AChE positive nerves were revealed in all layers, but only moderate NADPH-diaphorase positive innervation was found. Renal pelvis, upper and lower ureter showed enriched intrinsic innervation. Ganglia were found at the ureteropelvic border and the distal ureter. Whole-mount preparation technique revealed detailed informations about morphology and regional variation of the intramural innervation of the rabbit upper urinary tract.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • NADPH Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Rabbits
  • Substance P / metabolism
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / metabolism
  • Urinary Tract / innervation*
  • Urinary Tract / metabolism

Substances

  • Substance P
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase
  • NADPH Dehydrogenase
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase
  • Acetylcholinesterase