Ultrastructure and biochemistry of the pineal organ in deep-sea lanternfishes (Myctophidae)

Summary Pineal structural and biochemical adaptations in lanternfishes included: 1) few photoreceptor outer segment discs; 2) conventional synapses between photoreceptors and pineal neurons; and 3) low levels (0–60 pg/pineal) of serotonin compared to those (>1.0 ng/pineal) in the goldfish pineal organ. These findings suggest reduced photosensory and/or neuroendocrine functions in these deep-sea fishes.     

Photosensitivity of the pineal organ in the teleost,Salmo irideus (Gibbons)

Zusammenfassung Mikroelektrodenableitung der freigelegten Epiphyse der Regenbogenforelle,Salmo irideus (Gibbons), zeigt eine spontane Impulsaktivität, die bei Belichtung des Organs gehemmt wird und auch nach Entfernung der lateralen Augen bestehen bleibt. Nach Helladaptation des Pinealorgans an ein starkes Licht ist während des nachfolgenden Dunkelaufenthalts eine Empfindlichkeitszunahme um das 10⁵-fache festzustellen. Die Spektralsensitivität der Hemmung ähnelt der Absorptionskurve eines Photopigments mit Maximum bei 505 mµ.     

Ultrastructure of the pineal gland after hypohysectomy

Résumé Nous avons étudié les modifications de l'ultrastructure de la glande pinéale du rat après hypophysectomie et constaté: (a) une atrophie du réticulum endoplasmique, (b) réduction des ribosomes, (c) dépletion du matériel sécrétoire des granules, (d) altération des mitochondries, (e) réduction dans le volume des noyaux et des nucléoles et (f) un agrandissement de l'espace périvasculaire. Il est très probable que l'hypophyse antérieure est nécessaire pour maintenir la structure et la sécrétion de la glande pinéale, mais le mécanisme par quoi s'exerce ce contrôle reste encore inconnu.     

Synapses of the ribbon type in the pineal organ ofLacerta vivipara (reptiles,lacertilians)

Résumé Un appareil photorécepteur et neuroconducteur est hautement différencié mais quantitativement peu développé dans l'organe pinéal deLacerta vivipara adulte. L'existence de rubans synaptiques typiques, à la jonction des photorécepteurs et des cellules ganglionnaires est démontrée.

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Acknowledgment: our thanks are due to MrsS. Vernerey for her excellent technical assistance.     

Rudimentary pigmentgenesis in the pineal organ of the chick embryo

Zusammenfassung In der Epiphyse des Hühnerembryos werden, zur gleichen Zeit wie im Pigmentepithel des Auges, zahlreiche unmelanisierte, dopa-positive Grana gebildet. In der Epiphyse bleibt die Pigmentbildung auf dieser Stufe stehen, während im Pigmentepithel des Auges eine Periode intensiver Pigmentierung folgt.

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This work was supported by U.S. Public Health Service Grant No. GM 11949.     

Absence of electrical activity of the pigeon's pineal organ in response to light

Zusammenfassung Im Gegensatz zur Epiphyse von Fischen, Amphibien und Reptilien erweist sich das Pinealorgan der Taube bei Untersuchung mit Einstichelektroden als nicht lichtempfindlich.     

Electron diffraction of the metallic elements in the pineal organ of a freshwater fish, Mystus vittatus (Bloch.)

By electron diffraction pattern the presence of metallic elements, particularly chromium-nickel, chromium phosphide, copper, aluminum-copper and zinc has been shown in the pineal organ of a freshwater teleost, M. vittatus. It is likely that their occurrence within the pineal is due to binding with the neurosecretory material fractions/ligands.     

Electron diffraction of the metallic elements in the pineal organ of a freshwater fish,Mystus vittatus (Bloch.)

Summary By electron diffraction pattern the presence of metallic elements, particularly chromium-nickel, chromium phosphide, copper, aluminum-copper and zinc has been shown in the pineal organ of a freshwater teleost,M. vittatus. It is likely that their occurrence within the pineal is due to binding with the neurosecretory material fractions/ligands.The technical assistance of O.N. Srivastava and financial assistance of CSIR, India, are gratefully acknowledged.     

Bacterial bioluminescence in chlorophthalmid deep-sea fish: A possible interrelationship between the light organ and the eyes

Summary A small perianal light organ was found on a ventral part of the body of Chlorophthalmus spp. Simple tests, histological preparations and bacterial culture of the luminous contents clearly indicated that the luminous substance consists of symbiotic bacteria. The unique eyes of Chlorophthalmus spp. suggests a possible interrelationship between the eyes and the newly observed light organ.I thank Drs T. Tamura, E. J. Denton, O. Munk, M. Okiyama, K. Suzuki, M. Oguri, T. Tonoue and Mr H. Niwa for their constant guidances and their invaluable helps. This study was started by the stimulative conversation with Dr Yata Haneda. I would like to present the paper to him for the celebration of the perfect recovery of his health.     

A biphasic effect of estradiol on serotonin metabolism in rat pineal organ cultures

Summary Physiological amounts of estradiol (1 nM) significantly increased serotonin, conversion to melatonin and 5-methoxytryptophol by rat pineal glands in organ culture whereas larger, pharmacological, doses (i.e. 1000 nM) impaired it significantly. The stimulatory but not the inhibitory effect of estradiol was blocked by the simultaneous addition of puromycin in the culture medium.This study was supported by grant No. 6638 from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) occurs in nerves of the pineal gland

Summary Nerves staining with antibodies against vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were detected in the pineal gland of the rabbit, cat and pig. VIP nerves were numerous in the cat but few in the rabbit and pig. A particularly rich VIP nerve supply was noted in the pineal stalk of the cat. The nerves were predominantly located around small blood vessels. Occasionally, nerve fibres were seen in the glandular parenchyma without obvious relation to blood vessels.Grant support from the Swedish Medical Research Council (04X-4499).     

Vanadium biochemistry: the unknown role of vanadium-containing cells in ascidians (sea squirts)

This article reviews several new developments in vanadium biochemistry, as elucidated from studies of ascidians. A hypothesis correlating ascidian blood cell function to anaerobiosis, via two prominent redox constituents, namely vanadium(III) and the tunichromes, a family of metal ion complexing/reducing hydroquinonoid peptides, is presented.     

Fine structure of modiffied phtoreceptor cells in the pineal of the gobyClevelandia ios (Pisces: Gobiidae)

Summary Photoreceptor cells with a system of long, thi cytoplasmic processes (50–80 nm thick), which amy represent a modification of the outer segment saccules, are described in the pineal of the goby,Clevelandia ios.The author wishes to thank Mr Larry Allen, who helped collect the specmens, and Mr Kyle Kikuchi, who was instrucmental in the preliminary studies.Partial support by Biomedical Research Support Grant (NIH) No. 447-12-000 from the Stritch School of Medicine is gratefully acknowledged.