ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Iris
;
Muscle, Nerves
;
Light and electron microscopy
;
Acetylcholinesterase
;
6-Hydroxydopamine
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The adrenergic and cholinergic innervation to the rat iris has been studied at a light and electron microscopic level. Catecholamine fluorescence histochemistry showed adrenergic nerves to be present in both the dilatator and the constrictor pupillae regions. At a fine structural level the terminal innervation of the iris was studied and criteria for the differentiation between presumptive adrenergic and presumptive cholinergic axon terminals were examined. To aid this examination presumptive adrenergic axons were either labelled with the “false” adrenergic transmitter, 5-hydroxydopamine, or chemical sympathectomy performed using 6-hydroxydopamine. The value of using acetylcholinesterase staining as a marker for cholinergic nerve terminals was also studied. Results showed a mixed adrenergic/cholinergic innervation to the dilatator pupillae. In the constrictor pupillae an exclusively cholinergic innervation was found although adrenergic and cholinergic nerves were found supplying the blood vessels and at the dilatator-constrictor interface. These findings are discussed with regard to innervation-function relationships in the iris.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00306608
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