Sympathetic innervation of guinea pig uterus and ovary.

The relative contribution of the ovarian nerves and hypogastric plexus in the innervation of the guinea pig uterus and ovary was assessed. Chronic section of the hypogastric nerve did not reduce norepinephrine (NE) concentration in either organ. Localization of the hypogastric plexus in female guinea pigs was unsuccessful. Crushing the ovarian nerves 1) lowered the NE concentration in the ovary (70%) and in all portions of the uterus (86%), 2) decreased by 80-90% the uterine retention of [3H]NE, and 3) decreased the intensity of fluorescent adrenergic fibers in the uterus. However, the denervated uterus failed to exhibit supersensitivity to NE. In conclusion, sympathetic innervation of the guinea pig uterus and ovary is predominantly via the ovarian nerves, and a minor pathway of innervation may come from hypogastric plexus.