Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) immunoreactivity in the dorsolateral pontine tegmentum: further studies on the micturition reflex system

Abstract

A cluster of neurons in the pontine tegmentum thought to correspond with the micturition reflex center was retrogradely labeled following the injection of the fluorescent tracer True Blue into the sacral spinal cord. Simultaneous immunofluorescence staining indicated that these neurons display corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-like immunoreactivity. Also, CRF-positive varicose fibers were detected in the intermediolateral column of the sacral cord. The results indicate the presence of CRF or a CRF-like peptide in a descending projection to the spinal cord that may be involved in regulating the micturition reflex.