Summary
The carotid sinus of the guinea pig was analysed immunohistochemically for the occurrence of neuropeptides. Immunoreactivity (IR) for neurotensin (NT) and substance P (SP) is distributed in two different populations of nerve endings and varicosities. NT-IR fibers penetrate deeply into the tunica media of the elastic segment of the carotid sinus and form the large, branched lanceolate nerve terminals. Electron-microscopic investigations have revealed that the NT-IR varicosities correspond to the large afferent baroreceptor endings containing abundant mitochondria. SP-IR fibers are located mainly at the mediaadventitial border. They seem to be correlated to dense-core, vesiclecontaining varicosities identified in the electron microscope. Therefore, these fibers may constitute afferent and efferent perivascular plexus regulating the vascular tone of the carotid sinus wall.
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This paper is dedicated to Prof. Dr. R. Ortmann on the occasion of his 70th birthday
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Gorgas, K., Reinecke, M., Weihe, E. et al. Neurotensin and substance P immunoreactive nerve endings in the guinea pig carotid sinus and their ultrastructural counterparts. Anat Embryol 167, 347–354 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00315672
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00315672