Intrinsic innervation in the tracheal smooth muscle of the large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus): an immunohistochemical study.

Structure and innervation of the trachea of the large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) were examined by mean hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical methods. The tracheal rings were predominantly comprised of bone with a small amount of hyaline cartilage. Bone contained bone marrow and hyaline cartilage attached at the ends of the tracheal rings. The tracheal rings in the anterior third of the trachea were connected at each end with connective tissue to almost form a ring. A narrow membranous wall comprising a single layer of smooth muscle was present in the middle third, while inner and outer layers of smooth muscle were present in the posterior third. Protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5)-, nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-, galanin- and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers were present in the epithelium, lamina propria, smooth muscle layer and tunica adventitia. In the tunica adventitia, many PGP 9.5- and NOS-immunoreactive neurons were found singly or in small ganglia, while some VIP- and galanin-immunoreactive neurons were observed. A few PGP 9.5- and NOS-immunoreactive neurons were found in the submucosal layer. These results suggest that the trachea of the large flying fox has a rigid structure of tracheal rings and that the posterior two-thirds of the trachea probably contract via the actions of smooth muscles innervated with peptidergic or nitrenergic neurons that are located in tracheal ganglia, whereas the anterior third is non-mobile.