Ultrastructural localization and identification of adrenergic and cholinergic nerve terminals in the olfactory mucosa

Pharmacological and ultrastructural methods were used to demonstrate alpha-adrenergic regulation of secretory granule content of acinar cells of Bowman's glands and to localize and identify adrenergic and cholinergic axonal varicosities and terminals in the olfactory mucosa of the tiger salamander. The alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine caused secretory granule depletion from Bowman's glands; the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine partially blocked this effect. These observations were quantified using light microscopic computer-assisted morphometric techniques. Both drugs caused morphological signs of electrolye/water transport. Adrenergic axonal varicosities were identified by the presence of small granular vesicles (SGVs, 45-60 nm in diameter) containing electron-dense material that was enhanced by 5-hydroxydopamine loading and chromaffin reaction fixation techniques. Throughout the lamina propria, small fascicles with axons containing SGVs as well as varicosities and terminals with SGVs were located adjacent to blood vessels, Bowman's gland acini, and melanocytes. Mean vesicle diameters at these sites were 54 +/- 7 nm, 50 +/- 9 nm, and 56 +/- 8 nm, respectively; varicosities were located approximately 0.1-1.0 microns from their presumed cellular targets. Axonal varicosities containing small agranular vesicles (AGVs, 65 +/- 8 nm in diameter), identified as cholinergic by their size and by the absence of electron-dense material after 5-hydroxydopamine loading and chromaffin reaction fixation, were located between adjacent acinar cells. In addition, adrenergic varicosities containing SGVs (56 +/- 6 nm in diameter) were found within 1 micron of blood vessels associated with Bowman's gland ducts and sustentacular cells near the base of the olfactory epithelium. These results characterize the ultrastructural basis for adrenergic and cholinergic regulation of vasomotor tone and secretion within the olfactory mucosa.