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[Quantification of pericentral NADPH-diaphorase neurons in the spinal cord of rabbits]
D Kluchová1, J Marsala, M Kocisová
1Ustav anatómie Lekárskej fakulty Univerzity P.J. Safárika v Kosiciach, Slovakia.
Background:
The freely diffusible radical nitric oxide is generated by nitric oxide synthase, and is bioregulatory molecule that functions as a major neurotransmitter. Constitutive nitric oxide synthase exhibits NADPH-diaphorase activity that can be demonstrated histochemically.
Objective:
The purpose of the present investigation was to characterize and determine number of NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons around the central canal in all segments of the rabbit spinal cord.
Methods:
Rabbits Chinchilla were used in this experiment. After intracardiac perfusion the spinal cords were removed, cut into slices and histochemical analysis of NADPH-diaphorase activity was performed. Sections were evaluated by using light microscope.
Results:
NADPH-diaphorase positive pericentral neurons were present in cervical, thoracic, lumbar; sacral and coccygeal segments. They differed in the shape of their bodies and in length and branching of their processes. The main differentiation was observed in their number depending on the place of localisation. The highest number of these NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons was in sacral part (6 in average), the lowest one was noticeable in thoracic spinal cord (1-2 in average).
Conclusion:
Thus, our study suggests that pericentral neurons of the rabbit spinal cord which are capable of synthesizing nitric oxide, differs in number amount depending on the place of their localization in each spinal cord segments. (Tab. 2, Fig. 9, Ref. 21.)