{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.02795698924731183, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 5.553990610328638, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Immunohistochemical localization of neurotensin in a subpopulation of noradrenergic chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland of the flat snake (Waglerophis merremii).

The distribution of neurotensin (NT)-like immunoreactivity (LI) in the adrenal gland of the snake Waglerophis merremii has been examined immunohistochemically. Double staining, combining NT with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibodies and TH with CGRP antibodies, was also carried out. Results were analyzed by conventional and by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Immunostaining revealed a subpopulation of chromaffin cells containing NT-LI within the dorsal noradrenergic ribbon. In addition, there were some NT-immunoreactive (IR) fibers in this region. NT immunoreactivity was not present within adrenergic chromaffin cells or in cortical tissue. Double staining revealed CGRP-IR fibers innervating most of the chromaffin adrenergic cells. Within the dorsal noradrenergic ribbon, two groups of chromaffin TH-IR cells were present, one receiving a dense CGRP-IR innervation and another without contact with CGRP-IR terminals. The latter chromaffin cells displayed NT-LI. These results show, for the first time, the presence of a neuropeptide in chromaffin noradrenergic cells of a reptilian adrenal gland and open up the possibility that other peptides may also be present in these cells.