Abstract:

To study the morphology and density of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) cells in the digestive tract of the Gloydius intermediu. The method of the ABC immunohistochemical technique. The results showed that the 5-HT cells could be observed throughout the digestive tract with the highest density in the gastric pylorus and the lowest density in the rectum. What could be seen throughout the whole digestive tract was round or oval of closed-type 5-HTcells; the open-type 5-HT cells were tadpole-shaped or cone-shaped and mainly located in the esophagus, gastric cardia, gastric pylorus and sections of small intestine. The distribution characteristics of 5-HT cell may be related to the feeding habits and the living environment or function of various parts of the digestive tract. Key words: Gloydius intermedius; digestive tract; 5-HT cells