Immunohistochemical study on the distribution of neuron‐specific enolase‐ and peptide‐containing nerves in the omasum of cattle

Abstract

The distribution of nerves containing immunoreactivity for substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), leucine-enkephalin (LENK), and gastrin-releasing polypeptide (GRP) in the margin of the reticulo-omasal orifice, omasum, and omasal pillar of calves and cows was studied by immunohistochemistry. The general distribution of nerves was determined by means of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) antiserum and then compared to the distribution of immunoreactive (IR) nerves stained for the four peptides. Marked differences in the distribution of immunoreactive nerves were associated with age and the segment examined. SP-IR fibers were abundant in the musculature of the ungulate papillae at the reticulo-omasal orifice and in the smooth muscle of the omasal leaves, moderately dense in the omasal pillar, and low in density in the inner muscle layer of the reticulo-omasal orifice and in the muscle of the omasal wall. In order of decreasing abundance, the cell bodies of SP-IR nerves were found at the reticulo-omasal orifice, in the omasal wall, and in the omasal pillar. LENK-IR fibers, though less abundant, showed a pattern of distribution that was similar to that of SP-IR fibers. Nerve cell bodies showing weak immunoreactivity for LENK were detected rarely. Abundant VIP-IR fibers were present in the inner muscle layer of the reticulo-omasal orifice and in the omasal wall, while moderate numbers were seen in the omasal pillar: they were low in density in the ungulate papillae and omasal leaves. Cell bodies of VIP-IR nerves decreased in number through the omasum, reticulo-omasal orifice, and omasal pillar. The distribution of GRP-IR nerve fibers was similar to that of VIP-IR fibers, although GRP-IR fibers were less abundant. Nerve cell bodies showing weak immunoreactivity for GRP were detected rarely. The individual distribution of peptide-IR nerves was similar in the calf and cow, but immunoreactive nerves were far more abundant in the calf. The present study provides valuable information for discussion of the possible role of nerves in the regulation of omasal function.