Abstract
The distribution of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-d neurons and their relationship with nitric oxide synthase (NOS), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), pituitary adenylate activating polypeptide (PACAP) and galanin (Gal) were examined in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the pigeon Columbia livia. NADPH-d-histochemistry, indirect immunofluorescence and confocal analysis were applied to cryosections. Western blot analysis was also applied on pigeon gut. NADPH-d neurons were found throughout the pigeon GI tract and they were evident in the myenteric, circular muscle and submucous plexuses. Positive varicose nerve fibres were also distributed within the longitudinal muscle layers and in the lamina propria of the mucosa. The stomach was the segment richest in positivities. The copresence VIP/Gal/NOS as well as PACAP/VIP were revealed in some NADPH-d-neurons. We suppose that the nitrergic nerve population of the pigeon GI tract belong to the muscle motility regulation as an inhibitory descending nerve pathway. Moreover the presence of VIP, Gal and PACAP in some NADPH-d-containing neurons enhances the inhibitory actions of these neurotransmitters whereas PACAP and Gal role is actually unknown.
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