Pharmacological manipulation with the descending serotonergic system or transection of the mouse spinal cord has no effect on ependymal ultrastructure.

In order to investigate an effect of descending nerve fibres on mouse spinal cord ependymal ultrastructure, pharmacological manipulation with the serotonergic system or transection of the spinal cord was done. Biochemical analysis showed an 83% reduction of serotonin content in spinal cord tissue after p-chlorophenylalanine injections and a 93% reduction after transection. However, none of the experimental animals showed changes in ependymal ultrastructure compared to control animals as revealed by electron microscopy.