Co-localization of neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and dynorphin in non-noradrenergic axons of the guinea pig uterine artery

Abstract

Two major populations of perivascular axons containing immunoreactivity to neuropeptide Y (NPY) have been revealed in the main uterine artery of the guinea pig by immunohistochemical procedures which allow the simultaneous visualization of two antigens. One population contained immunoreactivity to dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) and was presumably noradrenergic. The other main population of axons with NPY-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) did not have DβH-like immunoreactivity (DβH-LI) and was presumably non-noradrenergic. These non-noradrenergic axons also contained immunoreactivity to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and dynorphin (DYN). Indeed, nearly all axons with VIP-LI also contained..