Neuronal localization of dopamine,noradrenaline, and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the central and peripheral nervous system ofLumbricus terrestris (L.)

Summary Fluorescence microscopical studies with the procedure of Falck and Hillarp have confirmed previous observations concerning the appearance of neurones with green and yellow specific fluorescence in the central and peripheral nervous system ofLumbricus terrestris.Chemical estimates show that the fluorescent neurones contain the primary catecholamines dopamine and noradrenaline, in addition to an indolamine, presumably 5-hydroxytryptamine. Rude's opinion that dopamine is present in a concentration twice that of noradrenaline is confirmed.Microspectrofluorometric analyses of the neurones displaying green specific fluorescence show two types of neurones, one presumably containing dopamine (mainly the receptor cells, certain small and some of the large cells in the cerebral ganglion). Some of the large cells of the cerebral ganglion and the bipolar cells near the base of the second segmental nerve in the ventral nerve cord show characteristics compatible with the simultaneous presence of both noradrenaline and dopamine in them.This work was supported by grants from the Helge Ax:son Johnson Foundation and was carried out within a reasearch organization sponsored by the Swedish Medical Research Council (projects No. B71-14X-2321-04A, B71-14X-712-06A, and B71-14X-56-07A).