Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models
Published on: July 21, 2011
Adrenergic and cholinergic innervation of the mammary gland in the pig
A Franke-Radowiecka1, K Wasowicz
1Department of Animal Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warmia and Masuria University in Olsztyn, Poland. ameliaf@moskit.uwm.edu.pl
Abstract:
Adrenergic and acetylcholinesterase-positive (AChE-positive) innervation of the mammary gland in the sexually immature and mature pigs was studied using histochemical methods. Upon examining the adrenergic and cholinergic innervation, the adrenergic innervation was found to be much more developed. The majority of both sub-populations of the nerve fibres studied was localized in the subcutaneous tissue of the mammary gland. Adrenergic and AChE-positive nerve fibres also supplied structures of the nipple (subcutaneous tissue, blood vessels, smooth muscles fibres) and glandular tissue (blood vessels, lactiferous ducts). The glandular tissue contained the smallest number of adrenergic and AChE-positive nerve fibres. No distinct differences were observed in the adrenergic and AChE-positive innervation of the porcine mammary gland between the juvenile and non-pregnant adult animals.
Related Concept Videos
Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic
The subtypes M1, M3, and M5 couple with the Gq subunit and activate the phospholipase C (PLC) activity, mobilizing intracellular Ca2+. Activation...
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
Sympathetic Signaling
Sympathetic preganglionic fibers release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) onto the ganglionic neurons in the...
Cranial Part of Parasympathetic Division
The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) alone accounts for approximately 75...
Parasympathetic Signaling
The effects of...
The Mammary Glands
Each breast features a pigmented projection known as the nipple, through which milk emerges via closely spaced openings of ducts, referred to as lactiferous ducts. Surrounding the nipple is a circular pigmented area of skin named the areola, which appears rough due to...

