The catecholaminergic nerve plexus of Holothuroide

Authors: Carlos A DíazBalzac Wigberto Mejías Luis B Jiménez José E GarcíaArrarás

Publish Date: 2010/03/09

Volume: 129, Issue: 2, Pages: 99-109

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Abstract

Catecholamines have been extensively reported to be present in most animal groups including members of Echinodermata In this study we investigated the presence and distribution of catecholaminergic nerves in two members of the Holothuroidea Holothuria glaberrima Selenka 1867 Aspidochirotida Holothuroidea and Holothuria mexicana Ludwig 1875 Aspidochirotida Holothuroidea by using induced fluorescence for catecholamines on tissue sections and immunohistochemistry with an antibody that recognizes tyrosine hydroxylase The presence of a catecholaminergic nerve plexus similar in distribution and extension to those previously reported in other members of Echinodermata was observed This plexus composed of cells and fibers is found in the ectoneural component of the echinoderm nervous system and is continuous with the circumoral nerve ring and the radial nerves tentacular nerves and esophageal plexus In addition fluorescent nerves in the tube feet are continuous with the catecholaminergic components of the radial nerve cords This is the first comprehensive report on the presence and distribution of catecholamines in the nervous system of Holothuroidea The continuity and distribution of the catecholaminergic plexus strengthen the notion that the catecholaminergic cells are interneurons since these do not form part of the known sensory or motor circuits and the fluorescence is confined to organized nervous tissueWe thank Mr Faustino McKenzie for supplying animals We acknowledge the funds provided by the Whitehall Institute to support this investigation This work was also supported by NSF IBN8801538 R118705802 and IBN0110692 and NIHMBRS RR810218 and S06GM08102 CADB was funded by the UPRRP MARC Program 5T34GM007821 We also acknowledge partial support from NIHRCMI RRO364101 and the University of Puerto Rico

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