Neurons controlling the gill vasculature in five species of teleosts

Summary A plexus of nerve fibers encompassing neuronal perikarya is present within the gill filament; it surrounds the proximal portion of the efferent filament artery and the efferent lamellar arterioles. This innervation resembles the pattern described for the area around the sphincter of the efferent filament artery: acetylcholinesterase-positive neurons and fibers, fast-fading yellow-fluorescent neurons and fibers, long-lasting green-fluorescent fibers. In addition, synaptic contacts between the different components suggest functional interrelationships. Nerves evidently control the efferent limb of the filament circulation including the sphincter of the efferent filament arteries, the proximal portion of the efferent filament arteries proper, and their corresponding efferent lamellar arterioles. However, the distal portion of this system is poorly innervated.