Chemical sympathectomy-induced changes in TH-, VIP-, and CGRP-immunoreactive fibers in the rat mandible periosteum: influence on bone resorption.

The expression of neurotransmitter receptors by bone cells supports the concept that the nervous system is a regulator of bone metabolism. The discrimination of the respective roles of the sensory and sympathetic nervous systems requires evidence of topographic relationships between the corresponding fibers and the cells involved in bone turnover, in vivo. In this study, the influence of the sympathetic system on bone resorption was assessed by using a synchronized model of cortical resorption along the mandible.

Spatial segregation within the sacral parasympathetic nucleus of neurons innervating the bladder or the penis of the rat as revealed by three-dimensional reconstruction.

The purpose of the present investigations was (1) to examine the spatial organization of preganglionic neurons of the sacral parasympathetic nucleus in the lumbosacral spinal cord of male adult rats and (2) to search, in this nucleus, for a possible segregation of sub-populations of neurons innervating the penis or the bladder, respectively. To estimate their spatial organization, neurons of the sacral parasympathetic nucleus were retrogradely labeled by wheat germ agglutinin coupled to horseradish peroxidase applied to the central end of the sectioned pelvic nerve. The sub-populations of lumbosacral neurons innervating the corpus cavernosum of the penis or the dome of the bladder were identified using transsynaptic retrograde labeling by pseudorabies virus injected into these organs in different rats.

Endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthases are present in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of Syrian hamsters and rats.

Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the transmission of light information to suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). By immunocytochemistry, we showed that both neuronal and endothelial NO synthase isoforms (nNOS and eNOS) were present in the SCN of rats and hamsters. nNOS-immunoreactive neurons were located mainly around the SCN with only a few nNOS neurons within the nucleus.

Relaxant effect of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on the nonpregnant and pregnant rat uterus. Comparison with vascular tissue.

To explore the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in rat pregnancy, we determined the density of myometrial CGRP-encoded nerve fibre terminals and examined, in an organ bath, the relaxant effect of the peptide on uterine strips near parturition. Comparisons were made with the uterus and aorta of nonpregnant rats. In the myometrium, CGRP immunoreactive nerve fibers were abundant in nonpregnant rats and scarce at the parturient stage.

Androgens modulate nitric oxide synthase messenger ribonucleic acid expression in neurons of the major pelvic ganglion in the rat.

Expression and androgen regulation of the gene for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS I) were examined in neurons of the major pelvic ganglia in male rats. Some of these postganglionic neurons innervate the penis and produce nitric oxide, which is believed to play a major role in penile erection. Rats were either castrated or sham operated and implanted with SILASTIC brand capsules filled with powdered testosterone (T) or 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alphaDHT) or left empty.