Transmitter profile and spinal inputs of pelvic ganglion cells projecting with preganglionic axons along the hypogastric and pelvic nerves of the male rat

Abstract

Pelvic autonomic ganglion cells receive spinal preganglionic inputs via the hypogastric (lumbar) or pelvic (sacral) nerves. Damage to these nerves stimulates axogenesis (sprouting) from pelvic ganglion cells and two possible triggers are deafferentation (decentralisation) or, if some ganglion cells project centrally in these nerves, axotomy. We have used a combination of retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry in male rats to identify the number of pelvic ganglion cells that project centrally along these nerves, their transmitter type and the spinal level of their preganglionic inputs. Only a small number (<1%) of pelvic ganglion cells project along these nerves; 29-65 project in each hy..