Dystrophic axons in the nucleus gracilis of the normal rat containing cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity. Light- and electron-microscopic observations.

Cholecystokinin immunoreactive (CCKI) axons in the nucleus gracilis of the normal rat were studied by light and electron microscopy using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunocytochemical method. Immunoreactivity was found in both normal and dystrophic axons at various ages. Slightly enlarged CCKI varicosities were first observed in 2-month-old rats, gradually increased in number (max. at 21 months) and in diameter (up to 20 micron at 21 months), and then decreased (at 27 and 36 months). Dilatated CCKI fibers continuous with dystrophic varicosities also tended to increase proportionally in diameter. The dystrophic CCKI axonal profiles, first identified at the light-microscopic level and then observed under electron microscopy, had consistently characteristic features. In addition, numerous dystrophic nonreactive axonal profiles had morphological features differing from those of dystrophic reactive ones at advanced ages. These findings suggest that CCK may be partly involved in the formation of dystrophic axons in the nucleus gracilis.