Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide nerves in the human female genital tract

VIP, a recently recognized neuropeptide, has been demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in nerves of the human female genital organs. Such nerves were most numerous in the isthmic part of the fallopian tube and in the cervix. They were found in smooth muscles, around blood vessels, and beneath the epithelium. Immunoreactive VIP nerve cell bodies were found in paracervical tissue, suggesting a local origin of genital VIP nerves. Besides the well-known adrenergic and cholinergic nerves, peptidergic nerves may constitute a new component in the autonomic nervous system.