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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Pineal 'synaptic' ribbons in sympathectomized rats.
Stefan Reusssubject
medicine.medical_specialtyHistologymedicine.medical_treatmentBiologyPineal GlandPineal glandHydroxydopaminesInternal medicinemedicineAnimalsSalineOrganellesSympathectomy ChemicalRats Inbred StrainsRatsMicroscopy Electronmedicine.anatomical_structureEndocrinologySympathectomyPeripheral nervous systemCervical gangliaUltrastructureFemaleAnatomyIntracellularEndocrine glanddescription
The melatonin metabolism in the mammalian pineal gland is under the clear influence of sympathetic fibers originating in the superior cervical ganglia (SCG). Previous studies suggested that also pineal ‘synaptic’ ribbons (SR) are regulated by the gland’s sympathetic innervation. To gain more insight into the mechanisms involved SR numbers were determined in adult rats which were chemically sympathectomized as newborns by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In control animals (saline injections), a clear day/night difference in the number of SR is present. In sympathectomized animals SR are higher in number throughout the 24-hour cycle but are not significantly elevated at night. The present results further strengthen the hypothesis that SR are involved in intercellular communication in the mammalian pineal gland.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989-01-01 | Acta anatomica |