SUBSTANCE-P-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN NERVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE VASCULAR SYSTEM OF GUINEA-PIGS

Abstract

Substance P-like immunoreactivity was localized by an indirect immunohistochemical technique in whole mounts and sections of blood vessels from the guinea-pig. There was a widespread association of nerve fibres that had substance P-like immunoreactivity with blood vessels, extending into all vascular beds. The relative densities of supply of different vessels were assessed visually and a rating scale used to compare them. Large elastic arteries close to the heart had dense networks of immunoreactive nerves associated with them. The density decreased as more peripheral beds were approached, except that there was a particularly dense network of nerves with arteries of the splanchnic beds. Arte..