Distribution of adrenergic and cholinergic nerve cells and fibers in the bursa of fabricius of chicken

Abstract

The distribution of adrene r g ic and cholinergic nerve cells and fibers in the bursa of Fabricius in twenty one-day-old chicks was studied with acetylcholinesteras (AChE) staining and fluorescence method. The wall of the bursa of Fabricius is composed of a serous layer or a perimuscular connective tissue, a muscle, and a mucous layer. Both adrenergic and cholinergic nerve fibers showed a similar distribution in the serous layer or the perimuscular connective tissue, the muscle, and the mucous layer. However, the adrenergic and cholinergic nerve terminals were not definitely observed in the lymphatic nodule. There were large fluorescent and small intensely fluorescent cells in the ganglia of the perimuscular connective tissue and the muscle layer. It seemed that the small intensely fluorescent cells were the SIF-cells. The AChE-positive nerve cells were also present in the perimuscular connective tissue and the muscle layer. © 1973, Editorial Board of Okajimas Folia Anatomica Japonica. All rights reserved.