Histochemical evidence for the degeneration of peripheral noradrenergic axons following intravenous injection of antibodies to dopamine-β-hydroxylase

Noradrenergic axons in the intestine, mesentery, atrium, vas deferens and iris of the guinea-pig were examined histochemically for the presence of noradrenaline and dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) at various times after the intravenous injection of antibodies to DBH. Swollen, degenerating axons were found in the intestine and atria in the first 1-5 days and, by the fifth day, most of the axons containing noradrenaline and DBH had disappeared. At the same time, there were accumulations of noradrenaline and DBH in non-terminal noradrenergic axons supplying these organs. No morphological evidence of degeneration of axons in the iris and vas deferens was found under the same experimental conditions.