Cytochemistry of the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord of the rat.

1. The primary sensory neurones have been classified into large light (LLC), type A, small dark (SDC), type B and type C cells on the basis of size, ultrastuctural and immunocytochemical characteristics. 2. Subclassifications have been described according to the configuration and spatial organization of cytoplasmic organelles. 3. Furthermore, the LLC are immunoreactive with a monoclonal antibody, RT97, directed against a neurofilament protein and the SDC are positive with anti-arginine vasopressin (AVP). 4. The majority of the neurochemical substances including substance P (SP), somatostatin (SOM), fluoride resistant acid phosphatase (FRAP), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and glutamate were localized to the small and intermediate diameter neurones measuring 9-40 microns. 5. The cytochemistry of the dorsal horn was similar to the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). 6. There is good evidence that substance P (SP) and somatostatin (SOM) are transmitters for a proportion of nociceptive neurones but the neurotransmitters utilized by the rest of the subtypes are unknown. 7. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and glutamate may be putative transmitters of the primary sensory neurones as they are localized in 28-30% of the SDC. 8. The wider distribution and extensive coexistence of the neuropeptides is incompatible with neurotransmitter function, but some may be neuromodulators whereas others such as arginine vasopressin (AVP) are useful markers for identifying type B neurones.