ACID PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY AND STRUCTURE OF NEURONS IN THE STELLATE GANGLION IN CATTLE

The stellate ganglion was studied in bovine fetuses (n=2) and cows of different ages (6 months-13 years; n=30) using Gomori’s histochemical method of acid phosphatase (AP) activity demonstration. Ganglion is a compact formation containing large, medium and small neurons with different AP activity and complicated interrelations of cell processes. With postnatal age until 13 years, there was an increase in the size of neurons, followed by a decrease after 13 years. The cells and their processes had different enzyme activity. In the fetus, the activity of the enzyme was low. In adult mature animals, the highest AP activity was demonstrated in large neurons. Processes of some neurons formed dense plexuses with high AP activity. The stellate ganglion often contained highly active growth conesand synaptic endings. Different AP activity reflects the differencies in the metabolic level of neurons and may be related to the variations in their functional activity.

stellate ganglion, neurons, acid phosphatase