Electrophysiology and enkephalin immunoreactivity of identified myenteric plexus neurones of guinea‐pig small intestine.

Abstract

Intracellular injection of the fluorescent dye, Lucifer Yellow CH, revealed the shapes of neurones in the myenteric plexus of the guinea‐pig ileum, and these shapes were correlated with the electrophysiological properties and enkephalin immunoreactivity of the neurones. A total of eighty‐three neurones were filled using electrodes containing a 5% solution of the dye. Forty‐six cells had many short processes and a single long process (Dogiel type 1) and twenty‐four cells had essentially smooth somas and one to eight long processes (Dogiel type II). Thirteen cells could not be put into either group. Enkephalin‐like immunoreactivity was detected in twenty‐two of the forty‐six Dogiel type I cell..