Serotonin immunoreactivity in the skin of the porcupine (Hystrix cristata)

Abstract

Immunohistochemistry was applied in the investigation of the possible existence of serotonin in porcupine (Hystrix cristata) skin. For this purpose, normal skin from four healthy porcupines were used. Serotonin immunoreactive cells were found at the stratum basale and stratum granulosum of the epidermis. In addition serotonin immunoreactivity was detected in the internal root sheat, medulla and epithelium of hair follicule cells. No immunoreactivity of serotonin occurred in the dermis. These results are the first evidence of serotonin immunoreactivity in epidermis cells, hair follicule cells of porcupines. Thus, serotonin should be considered a cellular modulator in skin.