Distribution and morphology of sacral autonomic neurons in the cat: Peroxidase labeling of efferent neurons through transected ventral roots

doi:10.1016/0014-4886(78)90038-9

Experimental Neurology

Volume 62, Issue 1, October 1978, Pages 16-29

https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4886(78)90038-9 Get rights and content

Abstract

The distribution and morphologic characteristics of the nucleus intermediolateralis inferior, the cell group X of Onuf, and the medial border cell group of the ventral horn, the latter two of which are also possibly autonomic in function, were investigated in the cat by means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase through the cut end of the transected individual sacral ventral root. The nucleus intermediolateralis inferior contributes its axons chiefly to the S2 and S3 ventral roots, and the nucleus occupies a larger triangular area of the intermediate region than that described previously. The neurons of the intermediolateral group are arranged in horizontal fashion. Cell group X contributes its axons chiefly to S1, and this is composed of longitudinally arranged, medium-size neurons having very well-developed longitudinal dendritic bundles. The medial border cells of the ventral horn, which are chiefly of medium and small size, are also labeled by bathing the S1 through C×1 roots. Their neuronal characteristics suggest that they might be also autonomic in function.

References (23)

J.L. Devito et al.
Uptake and transport of horseradish peroxidase by cut ends of the vagus nerve
Brain Res.
(1974)
R.C. Marsh et al.
Dendritic bundles exist
Brain Res.
(1971)
M. Réthelyi
Cell and neuropil architecture of the intermediolateral (sympathetic) nucleus of cat spinal cord
Brain Res.
(1972)
M.E. Scheibel et al.
Organization of spinal motoneuron dendrites in bundles
Exp. Neurol.
(1970)
L.P. Schramm et al.
Developmental reorientation of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the rat
Brain Res.
(1976)
T. Yamamoto et al.
Sacral spinal innervations of the rectal and vesical smooth muscles and the sphincteric striated muscles as demonstrated by the horseradish peroxidase method
Neurosci. Lett.
(1978)
W.C. Degroat et al.
The identification and characteristics of sacral parasympathetic preganglionic neurons
J. Physiol. (London)
(1968)
G. Gabella
Structure of the Autonomic Nervous System
R.C. Graham et al.
Glomerular permeability. Ultrastructural cytochemical studies using peroxidase as protein tracers
J. Exp. Med.
(1966)
L. Jacobsohn
Über die Kerne des Rückenmarkes
Neurol. Zbl.
(1908)

L. Jacobsohn-Lask

Über den medialen Sympathicuskern des menschlichen Rückenmarks

Z. Gesamte Neurol. Psychiat.

(1931)

Cited by (7)

Shy-Drager syndrome and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Cytoarchitectonic and morphometric studies of sacral autonomic neurons
1986, Journal of the Neurological Sciences
In order to elucidate the morphological correlates of bladder-rectal dysfunctions in Shy-Drager syndrome, the sacral spinal cord was cytoarchitectonically studied and 3 groups of sacral motor neurons, the posterolateral motor neuron column (PL), inferior intermediolateral nucleus (IML) and cell group X of Onuf (Onuf), were morphometrically quantitated at the S3 level (5 cases), after which the results were compared with those from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (5 cases) and an age-matched control group (4 cases). The sacral autonomic preganglionic nucleus of IML was localized chiefly in the S3–4 segments and was maximally developed in the caudal one-third of S3. The cell group X of Onuf was localized between the middle of S2 and the rostral one-third of S3 as a longitudinal slender column in the ventral horn. Between these two nuclei at the rostral S3 level, a connecting cellular bridge of neurons of intermediolateral cell type was identified.
Morphometry disclosed a marked deprivation of IML, Onuf and somatic motor neurons in Shy-Drager syndrome and a severe loss of somatic motor neurons and a modest deprivation of IML neurons in ALS. These results imply that these two disorders distinguished by different clinical manifestations share a common loss of somatic motor and parasympathetic motor neurons at least in the sacral cord. There are, however, certain gradients in the severity of involvement in these heterogeneous cell groups.
Spinal parasympathetic enkephalin fibers: patterns and projections
1985, Brain Research
The immunocytochemical distribution of enkephalin (Enk) was examined in the sacral spinal cord of the rat. Enk fibers are found interspersed among preganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the sacral parasympathetic nucleus. In addition, Enk fibers parallel the localization of primary visceral afferents found in the pelvic nerve. These findings provide a morphological substrate for enkephalin interactions with parasympathetic functions and with primary visceral inputs to the sacral cord.
Supraspinal control of motoneurons innervating the striated muscles of the pelvic floor including urethral and anal sphincters in the cat
1987, Brain
The distribution and morphology of parasympathetic preganglionic neurons in the cat sacral spinal cord as revealed by horseradish peroxidase applied to the sacral ventral roots
1986, Journal of Comparative Neurology
Central distribution of afferent and efferent components of the pudendal nerve in cat
1984, Journal of Comparative Neurology
Regional topography of spinal cord neurons innervating pelvic floor muscles and bladder neck in the dog: A study by combined horseradish peroxidase histochemistry and autoradiography
1982, Urologia Internationalis

View all citing articles on Scopus

²: Dr. Yamamoto is currently in the Section of Neurology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa 920-02, Japan.

¹: This work was aided by grants (257010 and 277016, 1977) from the Education Ministry of Japan.

View full text

Distribution and morphology of sacral autonomic neurons in the cat: Peroxidase labeling of efferent neurons through transected ventral roots

Abstract

Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Exp. Neurol.

Brain Res.

Neurosci. Lett.

The identification and characteristics of sacral parasympathetic preganglionic neurons

J. Physiol. (London)

Structure of the Autonomic Nervous System

Glomerular permeability. Ultrastructural cytochemical studies using peroxidase as protein tracers

J. Exp. Med.

Über die Kerne des Rückenmarkes

Neurol. Zbl.

Über den medialen Sympathicuskern des menschlichen Rückenmarks

Z. Gesamte Neurol. Psychiat.