Acid Phosphatase Activity and the Structure of Neurons in the Stellate Ganglion in Cattle

Abstract

The Gomori method was used to study the stellate ganglion in cattle (n = 30) of different ages. This ganglion consists of a compact formation containing large, intermediate, and small neurons with different levels of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and complex interactions of processes. Increasing age was associated with increases in neuron size; neuron size decreased after age 13 years. Cells and their processes had different levels of enzyme activity. Activity was low in fetuses. In adult animals, the highest levels of AP activity were seen in large neurons. The processes of individual neurons formed dense plexuses with high AP activity. The stellate ganglion not infrequently showed highly active growth bulbs and synaptic terminals. Different levels of AP activity reflected different levels of neuron metabolism, which were probably associated with differences in their functional activities.