Cholinergic axons in the rat prostate and neurons in the pelvic ganglion

Abstract

Fluorogold or green fluorescent pseudorabies virus labeled postganglionic neurons in the pelvic ganglion that innervate the prostate gland. Small cholinergic neurons were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) with antiserum against vesicular acetylcholine transferase (VAChT). Large, mainly adrenergic neurons, were surrounded by preganglionic cholinergic boutons. In the prostate, M3 type muscarinic receptors were found in the outer muscle layer surrounding the prostatic acini. The antiserum against VAChT marked the inner epithelial layer. Antisera against the vesicular monoamine transporters VMAT1 and VMAT2 demonstrated staining of the inner secretory layer and adrenergic fibers in the outer muscle layer, respectively, of the prostatic acini. These results provide new evidence for the presence of neural elements that have a cholinergic influence over the rat prostate gland.