Periviscerokinin-like immunoreactivity in the nervous system of the American cockroach

A highly specific polyclonal antiserum has been raised against periviscerokinin, the first neuropeptide isolated from the perisympathetic organs of insects (Predel et al. 1995). In this study, two different neuronal systems with periviscerokinin-like immunoreactivity were distinguished in the central nervous system of the American cockroach: (1) An intrinsic neuronal network, restricted to the head-thoracic region, was formed by intersegmental projecting neurons of the brain, suboesophageal ganglion and metathoracic ganglion. In addition, groups of local interneurons occurred in the proto- and tritocerebrum. (2) A typical neurohormonal system was stained exclusively in the abdomen; it was represented by abdominal perisympathetic organs which were supplied by three cell clusters located in each unfused abdominal ganglion. As revealed by nickel backfills, most neurons with axons entering the perisympathetic organs contained a periviscerokinin-like peptide. Immunoreactive fibres left the perisympathetic organs peripherally, innervated the hyperneural muscle and ran via the link nerves/segmental nerves to the heart and segmental vessels. All visceral muscles innervated by periviscerokinin-immunoreactive fibres were shown to be sensitive to periviscerokinin, whereas the hindgut gave no specific response to this peptide.