Immunocytochemical Detection of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS)-IR in Embryonic Rat Stomach Between Days 13 and 21 of GestationZübeyde Bayrama, Mevlüt Asara, Sevil Çaylia, and Ramazan Demiraa Department of Histology and Embryology, Medicine Faculty, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey Correspondence to: Ramazan Demir, Dept. of Histology and Embryology, Medicine Faculty, Akdeniz University, 07070 Campus, Antalya, Turkey. E-mail: demir@med.akdeniz.edu.tr In this study, the localization and appearance of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive (nNOS-IR) nerve cells and their relationships with the developing gastric layers were studied by immunocytochemistry techniques and light microscopy in embryonic rat stomach. The stomachs of Wistar rat embryos aged 1321 days were used. The first nerve cells containing nNOS-IR were seen on embryonic Day 14. The occurrence of mesenchymal cell condensation near nNOS-IR neuroblasts on embryonic Day 15 may reflect an active nerve element-specific mesenchymal cell induction causing the morphogenesis of muscle cells. Similarly, the appearance of glandular structures after nNOS-IR neuroblasts, on embryonic Day 18, suggests that the epithelial differentiation may depend on inputs coming from nNOS-IR neuroblasts, as well as other factors. Observation of nNOS-IR nerve fibers on embryonic Day 21 demonstrates that at this stage they contribute to nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation. In conclusion, depending on this study's results, it can be said that cells and tissues might be affected by NO secreted by nNOS-IR nerve cells during the development and differentiation of embryonic rat stomach. (J Histochem Cytochem 50:671679, 2002) Key Words: rat, embryo, stomach, nNOS
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