An immunohistochemical study of ovarian innervation in the emu (<i>Dromaius novaehollandiae</i>)

Abstract

The present study investigated the distribution of nerves in the ovary of the emu. The neuronal markers, protein gene product 9.5, neurofilament protein and neuron specific enolase demonstrated the constituents of the extrinsic and intrinsic ovarian neural systems. The extrinsic neural system was composed of ganglia in the ovarian stalk, as well as nerve bundles, which were distributed throughout the ovary. Isolated neuronal cell bodies, in the medulla and cortex, formed the intrinsic neural system. An interesting finding of the study was the presence of nerve bundles, circumscribed by lymphocytes, in the ovarian stalk. The findings of the study indicate that the distribution of nerve fibres and neuronal cell bodies in the emu ovary is similar, but not identical to that of the domestic fowl and ostrich.