Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) occurs in nerves of the pineal gland

Nerves staining with antibodies against vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were detected in the pineal gland of the rabbit, cat and pig. VIP nerves were numerous in the cat but few in the rabbit and pig. A particularly rich VIP nerve supply was noted in the pineal stalk of the cat. The nerves were predominantly located around small blood vessels. Occasionally, nerve fibres were seen in the glandular parenchyma without obvious relation to blood vessels.