A large proportion of afferent neurons innervating the uterine cervix of the cat contain VIP and other neuropeptides

Summary Axonal tracing techniques were used in combination with immunohistochemistry to examine the distribution of neuropeptides in afferent pathways from the uterine cervix of the cat. Primary afferent neurons innervating the uterine cervix were identified by axonal transport of the dye, fast blue, injected into the cervix. Fifteen to twenty-five days after the injection, dorsal root ganglia (L1–S3) were removed and incubated for 48–72 h in culture medium containing colchicine to increase the levels of peptides. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), cholecystokinin (CCK), leucine-enkephalin (LENK), somatostatin, substance P and vasoactive intenstinal polypeptide (VIP) were identified by use of indirect immunohistochemical techniques. Eighty-four percent of uterine cervix afferent neurons were identified in the sacral dorsal root ganglia (S1–S3), and 16% in the middle lumbar dorsal root ganglia (L3–L4). In sacral dorsal root ganglia, VIP was present in the highest percentage of dye-labeled cells (71%), CGRP in 42%, and substance P in 18% of the cells. CCK and LENK were present in 13% of the cells. In lumbar dorsal root ganglia, CGRP (51%) was most prominent peptide followed by VIP (34%), substance P (28%), LENK (17%) and CCK (13%). Somatostatin was present in the ganglia but did not occur in dye-labeled neurons. In conclusion, the uterine cervix of the cat receives a prominent VIP-and CGRP-containing afferent innervation. The percentage of neurons containing VIP is three to five times higher than the percentage of these neurons in afferent pathways to other pelvic organs. These observations coupled with the results of physiological studies suggest that VIP is an important transmitter in afferent pathways from the cervix.