Neural circuits that are positioned to regulate rat distal colon function were identified by immunohistochemical detection of pseudorabies virus (PRV) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). The distribution of PRV-immunoreactive neurons was examined in spinal cord and brain at increasing times (72-118 hours) after distal colon injection. At 72-80 hours, PRV-labeling was confined to the spinal cord, in the parasympathetic preganglionic column in the lumbosacral spinal cord and in the intermediolateral column of the thoracic spinal cord. At longer survival times (88 hours), PRV-immunolabeled neurons in the lumbosacral spinal cord were also distributed in superficial layers of the dorsal horn, the dorsal commissure, and around the central canal. Trans-synaptic labeling was identified in the medullary raphe nuclei, parapyramidal region, A5, Barrington's nucleus, A7, and the dorsal cap of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus after longer survival times (88-91 hours). Substantial labeling of the locus coeruleus, periaqueductal gray and forebrain regions occurred at later survival times (> or = 96 hours). In dual-labeled sections, CRF terminal labeling surrounded PRV-labeled neurons in the parasympathetic preganglionic column of the lumbosacral spinal cord. Additionally, many neurons in Barrington's nucleus, but not other CRF-containing nuclei, were double labeled for CRF and PRV. These results, taken with previous studies, support a convergence in transneuronal labeling from different pelvic viscera that may be related to coordination of overall pelvic visceral functions. Importantly, they provide an anatomic substrate for an impact of CRF from Barrington's nucleus in normal and pathophysiological functions of the distal colon.