Macro- and microstructure of the superior cervical ganglion in dogs, cats and horses during maturation.
Abstract: The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) provides sympathetic input to the head and neck, its relation with mandible, submandibular glands, eyes (second and third order control) and pineal gland being demonstrated in laboratory animals. In addition, the SCG's role in some neuropathies can be clearly seen in Horner's syndrome. In spite of several studies published involving rats and mice, there is little morphological descriptive and comparative data of SCG from large mammals. Thus, we investigated the SCG's macro- and microstructural organization in medium (dogs and cats) and large animals (horses) during a very specific period of the post-natal development, namely maturation (from young to adults). The SCG of dogs, cats and horses were spindle shaped and located deeply into the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, close to the distal vagus ganglion and more related to the internal carotid artery in dogs and horses, and to the occipital artery in cats. As to macromorphometrical data, that is ganglion length, there was a 23.6% increase from young to adult dogs, a 1.8% increase from young to adult cats and finally a 34% increase from young to adult horses. Histologically, the SCG's microstructure was quite similar between young and adult animals and among the 3 species. The SCG was divided into distinct compartments (ganglion units) by capsular septa of connective tissue. Inside each ganglion unit the most prominent cellular elements were ganglion neurons, glial cells and small intensely fluorescent cells, comprising the ganglion's morphological triad. Given this morphological arrangement, that is a summation of all ganglion units, SCG from dogs, cats and horses are better characterized as a ganglion complex rather than following the classical ganglion concept. During maturation (from young to adults) there was a 32.7% increase in the SCG's connective capsule in dogs, a 25.8% increase in cats and a 33.2% increase in horses. There was an age-related increase in the neuronal profile size in the SCG from young to adult animals, that is a 1.6-fold, 1.9-fold and 1.6-fold increase in dogs, cats and horses, respectively. On the other hand, there was an age-related decrease in the nuclear profile size of SCG neurons from young to adult animals (0.9-fold, 0.7-fold and 0.8-fold in dogs, cats and horses, respectively). Ganglion connective capsule is composed of 2 or 3 layers of collagen fibres in juxtaposition and, as observed in light microscopy and independently of the animal's age, ganglion neurons were organised in ganglionic units containing the same morphological triad seen in light microscopy.
Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Publication Date: 2007-05-21 PubMed ID: 17519523DOI: 10.1159/000103015Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research examines the macro and micro structural growth of the Superior Cervical Ganglion (SCG), an important part of the nervous system in dogs, cats, and horses as they mature from youth to adulthood. It hopes to fill the existing knowledge gap, as most prior research has focused on rodents.
Study Methodology
- The researchers conducted the study by observing the SCGs in dogs, cats, and horses during a specific period of their post-natal development—namely, maturation—from their youth to adulthood.
- The SCGs in all three animal species were all found to be shaped like spindles and located deep in the bifurcation of the common carotid artery.
- In dog and horse SCGs, they were located closer to the internal carotid artery, and in cats, close to the occipital artery.
Findings
- Over the course of maturation, the length of the ganglion saw an increase of 23.6% in dogs, a slight 1.8% increase in cats, and a substantive 34% increase in horses.
- Despite these differences in growth, the microstructures of the SCG were found to be quite similar between not only different ages but also different animals.
- The SCGs consisted of distinct units separated by connective tissue. Each unit was found to contain ganglion neurons, glial cells and small intensely fluorescent cells, creating what the researchers referred to as a “morphological triad”.
Implications
- The researchers concluded that given this morphological arrangement, the SCGs in dogs, cats and horses are more appropriately described as a “ganglion complex”.
- From the point of view of development, the researchers found that there was a significant increase in the connective capsule of the SCG, by 32.7% in dogs, 25.8% in cats and 33.2% in horses.
- Similarly, the neuronal profile size in the SCG also increased from the young to adult stages by a factor of 1.6 in dogs and horses, and 1.9 in cats.
- However, researchers saw an age-related decrease in the nuclear profile size of SCG neurons, which dropped by 0.9-fold, 0.7-fold, and 0.8-fold in dogs, cats, and horses, respectively.
The findings of this research provide valuable comparative data on macro and micro structural changes of the SCG across different species and stages of growth, which can contribute to a better understanding of neuropathies in larger animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Fioretto ET, de Abreu RN, Castro MF, Guidi WL, Ribeiro AA.
(2007).
Macro- and microstructure of the superior cervical ganglion in dogs, cats and horses during maturation.
Cells Tissues Organs, 186(2), 129-140.
https://doi.org/10.1159/000103015 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Anatomy, Veterinary
- Animals
- Cats
- Dogs
- Horses
- Male
- Superior Cervical Ganglion / cytology
- Superior Cervical Ganglion / ultrastructure
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Bookout AL, Gautron L. Characterization of a cell bridge variant connecting the nodose and superior cervical ganglia in the mouse: Prevalence, anatomical features, and practical implications.. J Comp Neurol 2021 Jan;529(1):111-128.
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