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Distribution of γ‐Aminobutyric Acid and Glutamate Decarboxylase in the Layers of Rat Oviduct
Author(s) -
Murashima Yoshiya L.,
Kato Takahiko
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1986.tb12940.x
Subject(s) - glutamate decarboxylase , oviduct , aminobutyric acid , glutamate receptor , gabaergic , distribution (mathematics) , chemistry , neurotransmitter , gamma aminobutyric acid , biochemistry , endocrinology , biology , medicine , enzyme , mathematics , receptor , mathematical analysis
An enzymatic microassay method for glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) was improved to yield a high sensitivity and a low blank. The 20‐μm thick freeze‐dried sections (0.2–1.5 μg dry weight) were prepared from the oviduct and ovary of rat. The analysis of these microsamples by the improved method showed that, contrary to the previous observations, the rat ovary is devoid of GAD activity and contains a trace amount of GABA. Both are present abundantly in the oviduct. In the oviduct mucosa, significant GAD activity was found in the estrous phase, whereas the activity was nearly null during other phases of the estrous cycle. GABA concentration in the oviduct mucosa was 10‐fold higher than in the cerebral cortex; its variation during the estrous cycle was not remarkable. In the muscle layer of oviduct, GAD activity had a low peak in the estrous phase and GABA concentration was almost constant during the estrous cycle. The denervation experiment showed that GAD is present in the nerve terminals innervating the oviduct.