Immunocytochemical demonstration of met-enkephalin in the central nervous system of the domestic fowl.

In the central nervous system of the male domestic flow, metenkephalin (ENK) immunoreactive perikarya and fiber tracts as well as extensive but sharply delimited fiber networks were visualized by means of the PAP technique. The most striking results were: (1) The demonstration of an association of ENK-containing structures with branchial nerves; (2) the spatial relationship of ENK-containing perikarya and fibers to somatostatin (SOM) and arginine-vasotocin (AVT)-immunoreactive systems; (3) the presence of dense and extensive ENK fiber networks within (a) the caudo-basal wall of the third ventricle and (b) the septal-preoptic area; in both regions mainly ENK fibers, but also SOM and AVT fibers, may cross to the contralateral side.