The distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptides and calcitonin gene-related peptide in the periodontal ligament of mouse molar teeth.

The distribution of VIP- and CGRP-containing nerve fibres was examined by indirect immunofluorescence. There were many such fibres in the lower third of the ligament, some around the blood vessel close to the socket wall. In the middle third of the ligament, some CGRP-containing fibers entered from the lateral wall of the socket; this type of fibre was more numerous in the lower third than in middle third. There were some VIP-containing fibres but no CGRP-containing fibres in the ligament surrounding the furcation of the molar roots.