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..