Vol. 40, No. 1-2, 1996
A comparative histochemical study of the distribution and density of acetylcholinesterase (ACHE)-positive nerves in the thymi of old rats after orchid- and ovariectomy
DORKO, F., GREGOR, A.
Faculty of Medicine
P. J. Safarik University
Srobarova 2
040 01 Kosice
Slovak Republic
Summary
Surgical orchidectomy and ovariectomy in old rats result in the regeneration of involuted thymus. This is rather more obvious in males. The distribution of ACHE-positive nerves did not differ in the regenerated thymi after orchidectomy and ovariectomy. A number of ACHE-positive nerves were detected not only in perivascular topography, but also in functioning thymus parenchyma. A marked difference in the thymus density of ACHE-positive nerves was found in rats without surgical gonadectomy. We assume our findings are indirect evidence that cholinergic nerves stimulate lymphopoiesis in the thymus.
Key words: acetylcholinesterase (ACHE); thymus; innervation; orchidectomy; ovariectomy; rat
This article is dedicated to the memory of the late Prof. P. P o p e s k o, DVM, DSc on the seventieth anniversary of his birth.
References
Folia Veterinaria / 1996