Nociceptin-like immunoreactivity in autonomic nuclei of the rat spinal cord.

Immunohistochemical techniques were used to localize nociceptin-like immunoreactivity (NOCI-LI) in the rat spinal cords. NOCI-LI nerve fibers were distributed in three fairly well-define regions: superficial layers of the dorsal horn, central canal area, and intermediolateral cell column (ILp) of lower cervical, thoracic, upper lumbar, and sacral segments of the spinal cord. A few NOCI-LI somata of small diameter were noted in the dorsal horn; NOCI-LI cell bodies were infrequently observed in the ILp or ventral horn. Concentration of NOCI-LI in nerve fibers of the superficial layers and in fibers projecting into the spinal sympathetic and parasympathetic nuclei suggests that the peptide may participate in sensory as well as autonomic functions.