Localization of sympathetic postganglionic neurons innervating mesenteric artery and vein in rats

Physiological and histochemical studies have demonstrated the control and innervation of sympathetic nerves to the artery and vein vessels of splanchnic circulation. In our laboratory, we first used the technique of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase to identify the origin of sympathetic neurons innervating the mesenteric vein. In this study, double fluorescence staining technique was used for a simultaneous localization of the sympathetic postganglionic neurons supplying the mesenteric artery and vein in rats. First-order branches of mesenteric artery (A) and vein (V) in the vicinity of ileo-cecal junction were isolated for application of fluorescent dyes (Fast Blue, FB and Diamidino Yellow, DY). The application of FB and DY on A and V was alternated in the next animal to minimize the difference in dye uptake. The animal was allowed to recover for 6-7 days assuring a complete uptake of FB and DY into the cytoplasm and nucleus, respectively. The number of FB, DY and double staining neurons in the prevertebral and paravertebral ganglia were counted under a fluorescent microscope after animal fixation and serial frozen section (30 μm) of the sympathetic ganglia. Our study revealed the following findings: (1) Distribution of the fluorescence-staining neurons in the sympathetic ganglia was as follows: right celiac ganglion (39%), superior mesenteric ganglion (30%), left celiac ganglion (26%), inferior mesenteric ganglion (1%) and paravertebral ganglia (4%). (2) Double staining neurons that dually innervate A and V amounted to 54% of total staining neurons. There were 41% neurons singly innervating A and 5% innervating V. (3) The ratio of neurons supplying the A and V ranged from 1.41 to 1.75 (average 1.61). (4) There was no distinct topographical distribution with respect to the neuron location innervating A and V. The distribution of neurons appeared in a scattering pattern.