Regional differences in the number and type of myenteric neurons of the ileum of rats: a comparison of techniques of the neuronal evidentiation.

We carried out this study with the purpose of analyzing the density of neurons of the myenteric plexus in the mesenteric, intermediate and antimesenteric regions of the ileum of rats. Whole-mounts stained with four different techniques were employed. Through countings under optic microscope in an area of 8.96 mm2 we found the following neuronal means with the techniques of Giemsa, NADH-diaphorase histochemistry, NADPH-diaphorase and acetylcholinesterase, respectively: mesenteric region 2144.40+/-161.05, 1657.80+/-88.23, 473.80+/-19.62, 905.25+/-22.40; intermediate region 1790.60+/-128.24, 1265.20+/-141.17, 371.30+/-27.84, 770.25+/-33.12; antimesenteric region 1647.0+/-76.67, 981.80+/-68.04, 298.50+/-22.75, 704.50+/-69.38. We conclude that there is a variation of neuronal density around the intestinal circumference and this fact independs on the technique used to stain the neurons, and that in a single region the neuronal density varies with the technique employed. We also call attention for the identification of the site were countings were carried out, so that the results of research in this area are not compromised.