Summary
The adrenergic innervation of the choledocho-duodenal junctions of cats and dogs was studied using the formaldehyde-induced fluorescence method for histochemical demonstration of catecholamines.
A fluorescent network of nerve fibres was demonstrated in the fibromuscular layer suggesting direct innervation of the sphincter muscles. “Basket-like” fluorescent structures suggestive of pericellular networks around non-adrenergic ganglia were seen in the plexus of Auerbach, on the surface of the sphincter muscles and inside the muscles. Fluorescent nerve cells were observed in the plexus of Auerbach, sending their fibres towards the ductus choledochus. Small cells exhibiting a very intense yellow fluorescence were seen slightly outside the smooth sphincter muscle. Another type of intensely yellow fluorescent cells was seen around blood vessels inside the sphincter muscles and in the lamina propria of the ductus choledochus.
It is concluded that the adrenergic innervation of the sphincters regulating the flow of bile in cat and dog involves three different mechanisms:
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1)
direct innervation of the muscle,
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2)
adrenergic innervation of the intramural non-adrenergic ganglia,
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3)
influence of the intramural fluorescent,
catecholamine-containing cells of three different types upon the smooth muscle either directly or indirectly.
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Kyösola, K., Rechardt, L. Adrenergic innervation of the choledocho-duodenal junction of the cat and the dog. Histochemie 34, 325–332 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306304
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306304