Distribution of axons showing calcitonin gene-related peptide- and/or substance P-like immunoreactivity in the sensory trigeminal nuclei of the cat

Abstract

Distribution of axons with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like and/or substance P (SP)-like immunoreactivity (LI) within the sensory trigeminal nuclei was examined in the cat before and after trigeminal rhizotomy. Axons with CGRP-LI or SP-LI were seen throughout the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus (Vp) and spinal trigeminal nuclei, including the medullary dorsal horn (MDH). They were densely distributed particularly in the dorsolateral part of the dorsal subnucleus of the Vp, ventromedial marginal zone of the ventral subnucleus of the Vp, dorsomedial and ventromedial parts of the oral spinal trigeminal nucleus, ventromedial and lateral marginal zones of the interpolar spinal trigeminal nucleus, and lamina I, outer part of lamina II and lamina V of the MDH. Most of the CGRP-LI axons exhibited SP-LI, while many SP-LI axons did not show CGRP-LI. After trigeminal rhizotomy, almost all CGRP-LI axons disappeared from the ipsilateral sensory trigeminal nuclei, while a considerable number of SP-LI axons remained intact throughout the nuclei: these SP-LI axons did not show CGRP-LI. The results indicate that CGRP-LI axons within the sensory trigeminal nuclei exhibit SP-LI and are of peripheral origin, and that SP-LI axons without CGRP-LI are of central origin.