Different types of synaptic vesicles in axons of the retractor penis muscle of the bull.

Three types of axon profiles were observed in the smooth muscle of the retractor penis and the penile artery of the bull: 1. profiles containing small granular vesicles, presumably representing adrenergic axons; 2. profiles containing small agranular vesicles, presumably representing cholinergic axons; 3. profiles containing numerous large and small granular vesicles. The third type of profile was not found in the vas deferens or the metatarsal artery. It is therefore possible that this type of profile represents the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic inhibitory nerves, the presence of which has previously been pharmacologically indicated in these tissues.     

Cholinergic and adrenergic innervation of the penis artery of the bull: Transmitter concentrations and synaptic vesicles

Summary The penile artery of the bull contained significant amounts of acetylcholine, noradrenaline and dopamine, and its axon profiles contained either numerous small granular or agranular vesicles, as well as some large granular vesicles. In the dorsal metatarsal artery, only noradrenaline and dopamine were detectable, and the axon profiles observed contained numerous small granular vesicles. In the penile artery, the axons with small agranular vesicles, probably cholinergic axons, were in close contact with axons containing small granular vesicles. It is suggested that, in the penile artery of the bull, one of the functions of the cholinergic nerves is suppression of excitatory adrenergic neurotransmission.This study has been supported by grants from the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation (to O.E.), from the Medical Research Council of the Academy of Finland (to E.K.) and from the Magnus Bergvall Memorial Fund (to N.O.S.). Excellent technical assistance by Mrs Paula Hasenson and Miss Seija Ovaskainen is gratefully acknowledged.     

Cholinergic and adrenergic innervation of the penis artery of the bull: transmitter concentrations and synaptic vesicles.

The penile artery of the bull contained significant amounts of acetylcholine, noradrenaline and dopamine, and its axon profiles contained either numerous small granular or agranular vesicles, as well as some large granular vesicles. In the dorsal metatarsal artery, only noradrenaline and dopamine were detectable, and the axon profiles observed contained numerous small granular vesicles. In the penile artery, the axons with small agranular vesicles, probably cholinergic axons, were in close contact with axons containing small granular vesicles. It is suggested that, in the penile artery of the bull, one of the functions of the cholinergic nerves is suppression of excitatory adrenergic neurotransmission.     

Evidence for serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) as transmitter in the penis retractor muscle ofHelix pomatia L.

Summary Microchromatography of dansylated substances was used to estimate the serotonin content of the penis retractor muscle (PRM) ofHelix pomatia. Pharmacological data in connection with the biochemical results suggest that 5-HT plays a role in the regulation of the mechanical activity of the PRM.     

A mechanical study of the cat retractor bulbi muscle

Zusammenfassung Die mechanischen Eigenschaften des M. retractor bulbi in der Katze (Anstiegs- und Abfallzeiten der Einzelzuckung und der tetanischen Kontraktion und Fusionsfrequenz) liegen zwischen den Eigenschaften der schnellen und langsamen Zuckungsfasern des M. obliquus inferior.

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This investigation was supported by Public Health Service Program Project Research Grant No. NB 06038, General Research Support Grant No. 5 S01 FR-05566, and Research Career Program Award No. K3-NB-14,094 to Dr.Bach-y-Rita from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness.     

Catecholamines and granular vesicles in adrenergic axons of the developing pineal body of the rat

Resumen Imediatemente después del nacimiento, las fibras adrenérgicas del cuerpo pineal del ratón, contienen solamente vesículas granulosas del tipo grande. Con dós dias, comienzan a aparecer las vesículas granulosas pequeñas; que son las que contienen nor-epinefrina. Se piensa que antes de ésta edad, la nor-epinefrina se localizaria principalmente en un compartimiento extra-vesicular.

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This material was presented at the meetings of the American Association of Anatomists, Kansas City, Missouri, 1967.     

Action ofp-chlorophenylalanine on the synaptic vesicles from rat pineal nerves

Resumen Se demuestra que lap-clorofenilalanina depleciona los componentes de las vesículas sinápticas de los nervios pineales de la rata revelables por la mezcla tetróxido de osmio-yoduro de zinc pero no afecta a los revelables por tetróxido de osmio-yoduro de potasio.

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This work has been supported by grants from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, Argentina, and National Institutes of Health, USA, No. 5 R01 NS 06953-05 NEUA.     

Effect of stimulation on synaptic vesicles in the superior cervical ganglion of the cat

Résumé La stimulation préganglionique à 60/sec pendant 4 min produit un épuisement des vésicules synaptiques et une réduction de 30% du contenu de l'acétylcholine. Après cette période de stimulation, on observe fréquemment l'enflure de l'éclatement des mitochondries aux extrémités des nerfs. Ces changements dans l'ultrastructure de ces dernières ne se sont pas encore montrés reversibles lorsque l'on laisse par la suite les ganglions se reposer pendant plusieurs minutes.

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This research was supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council of Canada.     

Various types of amine-storing vesicles in peripheral adrenergic nerve terminals

Résumé La combinaison de techniques cytochimiques et pharmacologiques a permis de démontrer que les grandes vésicules à contenu dense des terminaisons nerveuses sympathiques postganglionnaires de l'iris et du canal de chat renferment une substance analogue ou identique à celle renfermée dans les petites vésicules à contenu dense, c'est-a-dire la noradrénaline. Les grandes vésicules à contenu dense des terminaisons nerveuses parasympathiques ne renferment pas cette amine biogène.     

Cholera toxin B-subunit incorporation into synaptic vesicles of the neuromuscular junction of the rat

The B-subunit of cholera toxin, a nontoxic macromolecule which binds specifically to GM1 ganglioside, was conjugated to colloidal gold and injected into skeletal muscle of the rat. It was taken up rapidly in vesicles in the terminal axons at the neuromuscular junctions. Injection of albumin-colloidal gold conjugates resulted in an insignificant uptake. The results indicate that uptake of extracellular macromolecules into the terminal axon of the neuromuscular junction may be greatly enhanced by binding to gangliosides at the presynaptic membrane, and that it may occur without association with vesicular recycling related to transmitter release.     

Cholera toxin B-subunit incorporation into synaptic vesicles of the neuromuscular junction of the rat

Summary The B-subunit of cholera toxin, a nontoxic macromolecule which binds specifically to GM1 ganglioside, was conjugated to colloidal gold and injected into skeletal muscle of the rat. It was taken up rapidly in vesicles in the terminal axons at the neuromuscular junctions. Injection of albumin-colloidal gold conjugates resulted in an insignificant uptake. The results indicate that uptake of extracellular macromolecules into the terminal axon of the neuromuscular junction may be greatly enhanced by binding to gangliosides at the presynaptic membrane, and that it may occur without association with vesicular recycling related to transmitter release.The study was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (proj. No. 07122).—Part of this study was performed at INSERM U-153, Paris, headed by Dr M. Fardeau.     

Demonstration of electron-dense material within ‘empty’ synaptic vesicles in the CNS of rat

Summary A method for demonstration of electron-dense particles within electron lucent synaptic vesicles from various regions of CNS of rat is described. On the basis of the controls a visualization of protein substance is detected.