The cellular localization of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the mouse median eminence by immuno-electron microscopy
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Dalçik, Hakki; Chen, I-Li; Dalçik, Cannur; Phelps, Carol J.
- Source
- Acta Histochemica; January 1996, Vol. 98 Issue: 1 p53-59, 7p
- Subject
- Language
- ISSN
- 00651281
The aim of this study was to examine, by use of pre-embedding immunocytochemistry, the ultrastructural localization of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) immunoreactivity in the mouse median eminence. VIP immunoreactivity was observed in axonal profiles. The VIP-immunoreactive axonal profiles were in close proximity to non-immunoreactive axonal profiles that contained dense granular vesicles and clear vesicles and also to processes of tanycytes. VIP-immunoreactive terminals were observed in the proximity of the perivascular space and in the neuropil. Our results suggest that VIP-immunoreactive axon terminals may possibly interact with other non-immunoreactive axon terminals containing peptide and/or other transmitters at the level of the median eminence or may be released to the portal vasculature thereby to effect anterior pituitary cells.