Quantification and cellular localization of dopamine in the salivary gland of the ixodid tick Amblyomma hebraeum

摘要: Dopamine (DA) content of the salivary glands in partially fed female and male ticks, Amblyomma hebraeum Koch (Acari: Ixodidae), was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection or a radioenzymatic assay for catecholamines following experimental treatment. Some were held vitro up to 3 days. Other preparations (‘backless explants’) allowed one side be surgically denervated, contralateral serving as control. Normal ticks sampled 4 days post-removal from host (rabbits). In backless explants, there little if any difference DA between denervated control sides, even after vitro, indicating that unilateral denervation did not eliminate major gland pool DA. High doses reserpine (333 μg per g body weight) 6-hydroxydopamine (1000 significantly reduce gland, also suggesting only minor component is within axons innervating gland. A dispersed population cells rich tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (an enzyme marker catecholamine-synthesizing cells) found close association granular acini. This further suggests may other than dopaminergic nerves arising central nervous system. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998