Innervation of the rat pineal gland by PACAP-immunoreactive nerve fibers originating in the trigeminal ganglion: a degeneration study |
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Authors: | W Liu M Møller |
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Institution: | ENT Department, Pearl River Hospital, Guangzhou, PR China. lwei@fimmu.edu.cn |
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Abstract: | In order to establish that the pineal gland is innervated by pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers originating in the trigeminal ganglion, ophthalmic and maxillary nerves were transected by using a subtemporal fossa approach. The number of PACAP-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the pineal gland of rats with a total transection of the nerve was compared with that of rats without surgery. In the operated rat, PACAP-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the superficial pineal decreased remarkably, indicating that the trigeminal ganglion was the origin of these nerve fibers. This research provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that PACAP-immunoreactive nerves regulate the synthesis and/or secretion of melatonin in the pineal gland. |
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