Abstract:

Abstract：Immunohistochemical localization and morphology of 5-Hydroxytryptamine immunoreactive cells (5-HT cells) in the digestive tract of Columba livia domesticus have been investigated by using the ABC（avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex）immunostaining technique.The results indicated that the 5-HT positive immunoreactive cells could be observed throughout the digestive tract, from stomach to rectum. The density curve appeared wavelike and their density is the highest in the cardiac part of rectum(5.20±1.94) ,followed by the ileum(4.55±3.14). The lowest cell density is found in the stomach(1.7±0.80).The 5-HT cells distribute at the bottom of epithelial cells, between epithelial cells, between glandular epithelial cells or in the lamina propria.The 5-HT cells have different shapes including round, shuttle-like, tapering and other shapes. Anthors suggest that 5-HT positive immunoreactive cells in the digestive tract of Columba livia domesticus should have both endocrine and exocrine functions.