Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-containing nerves in mammalian ureter

The distribution of neuropeptide Yin the ureter of the rat, rabbit, and man has beendetermined by radioimmunoassay and chromatographic analysis of the tissue extract. The localization of neuropeptide Y-immunoreactivity has been identified by immunocytochemistry. A regional distribution of neuropeptide Y was found; highest concentrations being present in the ureterovesical junction. Throughout the ureter, neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive nerve fibers were identified to surround the blood vessels and a few plexuses of neuropeptide Y-containing nerves were present within the muscle layers. Neuropeptide Y was not present within ganglion cells. Treatment of rats hydroxydopamine resulted in a significant reduction of neuropeptide Y concentrations in the middle, and lower thirds of the ureter. This depletion in extractable neuropeptide Y was ted with morphologic changes typical of axonal degeneration of the neuropeptide Y-containing nerve fibers.