Structural organization of the neuronal pathways of the superior ovarian nerve in the rat

Abstract

Background In the rat, studies have shown that ovary innervation arrives via the superior ovarian nerve (SON) and the ovarian plexus nerve, which originates from the celiac plexus (CP). In the present study, we performed a neuroanatomical technique to investigate the anatomy of the SON between the ovary and the CP. Results We found that the SON fibers were concentrated on the lateral border of the suprarenal ganglion and projected towards, then inserted into the suspensory ligament. Then, it ran parallel to the long axis of the ligament to reach and innervate the ovaries. At this level, the SON was composed of two coiled nerve fibers, each between 10 and 15 µm in diameter. The SON was linked to three different ganglia: the suprarenal ganglia, the celiac ganglia, and the superior mesenteric ganglion. Conclusions The postganglionic fibers that project to the ovary via the SON emerge from the suprarenal ganglia. The trajectories on the right and left sides to each ovary are similar. The somas of ipsilateral and contralateral SON neurons are located in the prevertebral ganglia, mostly in the celiac ganglia.

Organization of the Subdiaphragmatic Vagus Nerve and Its Connection with the Celiac Plexus and the Ovaries in the Female Rat

“…From the existing detailed information on the organization of the celiac plexus [5,25] and what was found in this work, it is evident that the RVN and LVN at the subdiaphragmatic level have different anatomical pathways. It may be possible to analyze the role of each nerve of the ganglia individually, and not as a single signal.…”

“…The CSMG is associated directly with the sympathetic system. On the other hand, the parasympathetic signal is attributed to the vagal signal and carried out to the ovaries [21,25]. However, those studies do not describe the specific anatomical pathway between the VN and gonads.…”

“…AChE is a common technique that has been used in previous studies to localize very thin nerves or fibers to complement the gross anatomy in describing the peripheral nervous system, because AChE binds cholinergic fibers [1,24,25]. The specific role of acetylcholinesterase is to degrade acetylcholine, ending its signaling activity [26].…”