Localization of motoneurones of retractor bulbi muscles by retrograde transport of exogenous peroxidase in cats]

Retrograde transport of exogene horseradish peroxidase has been used to localize the retractor bulbi muscle motoneurones. These motoneurones are located ventro-laterally in the tegmental reticular field; they are grouped in a rostro-caudal column above the superior olive. They correspond to the accessory nucleus of the VIe nerve described by old anatomists.     

Heart tissue catecholamines in the greyRatus norvegicus

Résumé Le taux des catécholamines du myocarde a été dosé chez le rat sauvage vivant dans la nature et chez le rat de la même espèce vivant dans des conditions de confinement en laboratoire. Chez l'animal élevé en laboratoire le taux des catécholamines est significativement plus élevé que chez son homologue vivant dans la nature.

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The authors wish to thank Mr.F. Vigneron for providing them with wild rats and raising the grey labRatus norvegicus.

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Partially supported by a grant of the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique of Belgium.     

Identification of catecholamines and serotonin in the notochords of chick embryos]

The neurotransmitter amines, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonine have been isolated from Chick notochords. Cholinergic agents produce important modifications in the amount of these amines and of one of their metabolites. The results demonstrate the presence, at a very early stage of development, between the second and the third day of incubation, of biogenic amines and cholinergic receptors.     

Determination of plasma catecholamines in conscious normotensive and hypertensive (sodium and desoxycorticosterone) rats]

Plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline were measured in conscious Rats on 50 microliter samples by a radiometric technique. In normotensive Rats a moderate haemorrhage increased catecholamine levels. In Rats rendered hypertensive by salt loading and by desoxycorticosterone treatment noradrenaline levels were increased.     

Uptake and transport of exogenous peroxidase in the masticatory muscles of the cat. Localization of motor neurons]

In the present work, a topographical localization of masticatory muscle motoneurons was undertaken. Horseradish peroxydase injected in each muscle can be transported in the retrograde direction to the corresponding motoneurons cell bodies. Jaw-closing muscle motoneurons were identified in the dorsal part of the motor trigeminal nucleus whereas jaw-opening muscle motoneurons were observed in the ventro-medial region.     

Cathepsin D and the catabolic degradation of proteoglycans in granulomatous tissue]

Incubated in vitro at 37 degrees C, granulation tissues release glycosaminoglycans into the incubation medium. Such release is inhibited if pepstatine is present in the medium. From this result, it can be inferred that the protien moiety of the proteioglycans is degraded by cathepsin D. Therefore a role of this enzyme in granulation tissues appears, especially in the late reparative phase.     

Uptake and transport of exogenous peroxidase in the masticatory muscles of cats. Localization of ganglionic neurons]

Retrograde axonal transport of Horseradish peroxydase (HRP) has been used to trace the cells of origin of proprioceptive fibers in jaw-closing and jaw-opening muscles. After injection of HRP in young cats' masticatory muscles (masseteric, temporal, pterygoid, mylohyoid and digastric) labelled neurons were found in the ipsilateral semi-lunar ganglion and trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus. It is concluded that sensory endings are present in jaw-opening as in jaw-closing muscles; possibly the afferent fibers from muscle endings of the opener muscles have their somata in the mesencephalic nucleus, afferent fibers from tendinous receptors in the semi-lunar ganglion.     

Development of thyroid peroxidase activity during the early stage of iodine deficiency in the hypophysectomized rat]

The iodide-peroxidase activity of the thyroid gland remains, in hypophysectomized Rats maintained on a low iodine diet, below normal value. This result suggests that the early increase of peroxidase activity observed in control Rats maintained on a low iodine diet is TSH dependent.     

Application to the study of connections in the CNS of the retrograde axonal transport of an iron-dextran complex]

The retrograde axonal transport of an iron-dextran complex was observed in neurons of the substantia nigra and of the intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus, after previous injection into the striatum. The histochemical demonstration of iron is simple and rapid, and can be combined with that of horseradish peroxidase, under precise conditions in the sequence of reactions. The iron-dextran complex revealed to be a valuable material for neuronal connectivity studies in the central nervous system.     

The presence of an endogenous peroxidase activity in hairy cell leukemia cells]

Mononuclear cells from hairy cell leukemia have been studied in three cases by ultrastructural immunocytochemistry. Cells have fairly detectable surface immunoglobulins, without monoclonal distribution however. In addition these cells have a peroxidatic activity which is revealed in the perinuclear space and strands of endoplasmic reticulum.     

Effects of levophacetoperane, pemoline, fenozolone, and centrophenoxine on catecholamines and serotonin uptake in various parts of the rat brain]

These drugs, except centrophenoxine, inhibit in vitro in a competitive manner, norepinephrin uptake in Rat hypothalamus and cortex, and dopamine uptake in corpus striatum and cortex, at higher concentrations than d.l. amphetamine; this alone inhibits serotonin uptake in hypothalamus.     

In vitro biosynthesis of beta-lipotropin in brain tissue]

We have recently developed methods to identify biosynthetized beta-endorphin and beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) following incubation of Rat pars intermedia with radioactive amino acids. We used the same approach for rat brain tissue. In the striatum we found a peptide similar to beta-LPH while its identification in hypothalamus was less positive. This is the first demonstration of such biosynthesis and it could well be an important step in determining the biosynthetic patterns of cerebral endorphins and enkephalins.     

Effects of mescaline and lysergide on the mechanical responses of isolated organs of the rat to catecholamines and the role of calcium transfers in these phenomena]

On isolated Rat vas deferens the contracting responses of noradrenaline and dopamine are increased by mescaline (23 micromoles) and decreased by lysergide (15 micromoles). Similarly, on isolated Rat duodenum previously decalcified the hypertonic responses of recalcification are modified in the opposite direction by the two agonists. On the other hand, mescaline such as lysergide increase the fall of tonus which ensues the decalcification of isolated duodenum.     

Metabolic activity of adipose tissue in the goat during gestation and at the beginning of lactation]

In 5 French Alpine goats, omental adipose tissue acetyl-CoA carboxylase, glucose-6-phosphate deshydrogenase, malic enzyme and lipoprotein lipase activities significantly decreased during the third month of gestation, whereas plasma non-esterified fatty acid and triacyglycerol contents increased. This probably reflects an early decreasing rate of adipose tissue anabolism during gestation in the Goat. At the third week of lactation, anabolic activities relative to DNA content of adipose tissue were extremely low, and the tissue weight relative to DNA was lower than during gestation. Metabolic alterations of omental adipose tissue in early lactation do not seem to be related to milk production level. These results could contribute to a better control of the kinetic of body lipid stores during the reproductive cycle in high milk yielding ruminants.