We have adapted the techniques developed in the vas deferens (with collaborator in Denmark) to fill autonomic nerve terminals innervating mesenertic blood vessels (Hansen et al., 2003; Hansen et al., 2004). We know that AM esters of Ca2+ indicators can be loaded into smooth muscle cells can be readily viewed in blood vessels, both from work within the laboratory and published literature (for example (Lamont & Wier, 2002; Lamont et al., 2003)). Hence, the tools necessary for these experiments are available within the laboratory.
Mesenteric Terminals
This figure shows axons orthogradely loaded with Oregon Green 488 BAPTA-1 dextran during transmural field stimulation showing an increase in the intra-terminal Ca2+ concentration during the stimulus train.
Email: Keith Brain