Localization of NADPH-diaphorase containing neurons in the spinal dorsal horn and spinal sensory ganglia of the turtle Chrysemys d’orbigny

 NADPH-diaphorase positive (NDP) neurons and nerve fibers were found in the spinal dorsal horn (DH) and sensory ganglia of the turtle Chrysemys d’orbigny. Three well-defined types of NDP neurons were found in the DH: (a) elongated nerve cells with two radially arranged dendritic branches, (b) neurons with rostro-caudal dendritic branches, (c) bitufted neurons with two, practically symmetric branches that project to the ipsilateral and contralateral dorsal horns. A combination of the techniques that reveal NADPH-diaphorase activity with the horseradish peroxidase transganglionic labeling of the dorsal root collaterals, suggested that NDP neurons of the DH are second-order cells of the spinal sensory pathway. NDP neurons were also found in the spinal sensory ganglia at all metameric levels. Our findings indicate that the DH of turtles, like that of mammals, contains both the enzymatic machinery and the neural connections required to postulate the participation of nitric oxide in ”plastic phenomena” such as hyperalgesia and central sensitization. Two other alternatives or complementary hypotheses are discussed: (a) NDP neurons in the DH and sensory ganglia may represent specific cell populations involved in the processing of sensory visceral information; (b) NADPH-diaphorase reactivity may indicate sustained levels of neuronal activity. Received: 12 February 1996 / Accepted: 2 August 1996