Light and electron microscopic observations on the postnatal development of the rat paracervical (frankenhäuser) ganglion

  • Lasse Kanerva
Article
Received:

Summary

The ultrastructure of the rat paracervical (frankenhäuser) ganglion was studied during postnatal development after immersion or perfusion fixation with the glutaraldehyde, followed by postosmification. Three different neuronal cell types were found in the ganglion: (1) Primitive sympathetic nerve cells. They had a “primitive” structure and contained, in one section, one to two dense cored vesicles (DCV) of 700–1100 Å in diameter. They were not found after the fourth day of postnatal development. (2) Principal neurons grew in size during the whole period of postnatal development. Part of them were already well developed in the ganglia of the newborn rat, and no particular changes in the content of their cytoplasmic organelles occurred thereafter. (3) Small granule-containing (SGC) cells. They usually occurred in small groups, often close to blood capillaries of the fenestrated type and were sometimes devoid of their satellite cell sheath in this region. They became slightly smaller in size as the animal aged. The size of their granulated vesicles (GV) varied mainly between 800–1400 Å in all age groups in most of the cells. In addition, another type of SGC-cell containing larger GV up to 3000 Å in diameter were observed in the ganglia of 32-day old and older rats.

Degenerating principal neurons and SGC-cells were encountered, especially in the young animals. Mitotic figures were seen in the SGC-cells up to the 8-day stage.

The synapses to the principal neurons were mainly axo-somatic. There were only a few synapses present in the newborn, but their number greatly increased during development. It appeared as if the accumulation of synaptic vesicles preceded or appeared simultaneously with the formation of the pre-and post-synaptic membrane thickenings. Synapses to the SGC-cells were few in all the age groups studied.

Key words

SIF-cells Development Biogenicamines Autonomic ganglia Synapses 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Bunge, M. B., Bunge, R. P., Peterson, E. R.: The onset of synapse formation in spinal cord cultures as studied by electron microscopy. Brain Res. 6, 728–749 (1967).Google Scholar
  2. Champlain, J. de, Malmfors, T., Olson, L., Sachs, Ch.: Ontogenesis of peripheral adrenergic neurons in the rat: pre-and postnatal observations. Acta physiol. scand. 80, 276–288 (1970).Google Scholar
  3. Coupland, R. E.: The natural history of the chromaffin cell. London: Longmans 1965.Google Scholar
  4. Coupland, R. E., Hopwood, D.: The mechanism of differential staining reaction for adrenaline and noradrenaline-storing granules in tissues fixed with glutaraldehyde. J. Anat. (Lond.) 100, 227–243 (1966).Google Scholar
  5. Coupland, R. E., Weakley, B. S.: Developing chromaffin tissue in the rabbit: an electron microscopic study. J. Anat. (Lond.) 102, 3, 425–455 (1968).Google Scholar
  6. Coupland, R. E. Weakley, B. S.: Electron microscopic observation on the adrenal medulla and extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue of postnatal rabbit. J. Anat. (Lond.) 106, 2, 213–231 (1970).Google Scholar
  7. Crain, S. M., Peterson, E. R.: Onset and development of functional interneuronal connections in explants of rat spinal cord-ganglia during maturation in culture. Brain Res. 6, 750–762 (1967).Google Scholar
  8. Cravioto, H.: The role of Schwann cells in the development of human peripheral nerves. An electron microscopic study. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 12, 634–651 (1965).Google Scholar
  9. Elfvin, L.-g.: The development of secretory granules in the rat adrenal medulla. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 17, 45–62 (1967).Google Scholar
  10. Eränkö, L., Eränkö, O.: Effect of hydrocortisone on histochemically demonstrable catecholamines in the sympathetic ganglia and extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue of the rat. Acta physiol. scand. 1972 (in press).Google Scholar
  11. Eränkö, O., Eränkö, L.: Small intensely fluorescent granule-containing cells in the sympathetic ganglion of the rat. Progr. Brain Res. 34, 39–51 (1971).Google Scholar
  12. Gamble, Z. J.: Further electron microscope studies of human foetal peripheral nerves. J. Anat. (Lond.) 100, 487–502 (1966).Google Scholar
  13. Grillo, M. A.: Electron microscopy of sympathetic tissues. Pharmacol. Rev. 18, 387–399 (1966).Google Scholar
  14. Hamori, J., Dyachkova, L. N.: Electron microscope studies on developmental differentiation of ciliary ganglion synapses in the chick. Acta biol. Acad. Sci. hung. 15 (2), 213–230 (1964).Google Scholar
  15. Hervonen, A.: Development of catecholamine-storing cells in human fetal paraganglia and adrenal medulla. Acta physiol. scand., Suppl. 368 (1971).Google Scholar
  16. Hervonen, A., Kanerva, L.: Catecholamine storing cells in human fetal superior cervical ganglion. Acta physiol. scand. (1972) (in press).Google Scholar
  17. Hökfelt, T.: In vitro studies on central and peripheral monoamine neurons at the ultrastructural level. Z. Zellforsch. 91, 1–74 (1968).Google Scholar
  18. Jacobowitz, D.: Catecholamine fluorescence studies of adrenergic neurons and chromaffin cells in sympathetic ganglia. Fed. Proc. 29, 1929–1944 (1970).Google Scholar
  19. Kanerva, L.: The postnatal development of monoamines and cholinesterases in the paracervical ganglion of the rat uterus. Progr. Brain Res. 34, 433–444 (1971).Google Scholar
  20. Kanerva, L.: Ultrastructure of sympathetic ganglion cells and granule-containing cells in the paracervical (frankenhäuser) ganglion of the newborn rat. Z. Zellforsch. 126, 25–40 (1972).Google Scholar
  21. Kanerva, L., Teräväinen, H.: Electron microscopy of the paracervical ganglion (Frankenhäuser) of the adult rat. Z. Zellforsch. (1972) (in press).Google Scholar
  22. Kubozoe, T., Daikoku, S. Takita, S.: Electron microscopie observations on Auerbach's plexus in a 12 mm human embryo. J. Neurovisc. Relat. 31, 291–307 (1969).Google Scholar
  23. LaVelle, A., LaVelle, F. W.: Cytodifferentiation in the neuron. In: Developmental neurobiology, W. Himwich, ed. Springfield. Ill.: Publisher Charles C. Thomas 1970.Google Scholar
  24. Lempinen, M.: Extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue of the rat and the effect of cortical hormones on it. Acta physiol. scand. 62, Suppl. 231 (1964).Google Scholar
  25. Matthews, M. R., Raisman, G.: The ultrastructure and somatic efferent synapses of small granule-containing cells in the superior cervical ganglion. J. Anat. (Lond.) 105, 255–282 (1969).Google Scholar
  26. Olivieri Sangiacomo, C.: The fine structure of the otic ganglion of the newborn rabbit. Sperimentale. 118, 439–467 (1968).Google Scholar
  27. Owman, Ch., Sjöberg, N.-O., Swedin, G.: Histochemical and chemical studies on pre-and postnatal development of different systems of “short” and “long” adrenergic neurons in peripheral organs of the rat. Z. Zellforsch. 116, 319–341 (1971).Google Scholar
  28. Peters, A., Muir, A. R.: The relationship between axons and Schwann cells during development of peripheral nerves in the rat. Quart. J. exp. Physiol. 44 117–130 (1959).Google Scholar
  29. Pick, J., Gerdin, C., De Lemos, C.: An electron microscopical study of developing sympathetic neurons in man. Z. Zellforsch. 62 402–415 (1964).Google Scholar
  30. Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell. Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).Google Scholar
  31. Richardsson, K. C.: The fine structure of the albino rabbit iris with special reference to the identification of adrenergic and cholinergic nerves and nerve endings in its intrinsic muscles. Amer. J. Anat. 114, 173–206 (1964).Google Scholar
  32. Rio Hortega, P. del: Estudios sobre el centrosoma de las células nerviousas y neuróglicas de los vertebrados, en sus formas normal y anormales. Trab. Lab. Invest. Biol. Univ. Madrid. 14, 117–153 (1916).Google Scholar
  33. Sabatini, D. D., Bensch, K., Barrnett, H. J.: Cytochemistry and electron microscopy. The preservation of cellular ultrastructure and enzymatic activity by aldehyde fixation. J. Cell Biol. 17, 19–58 (1963).Google Scholar
  34. Smitten, N. A.: A cytological analysis of the origin of chromaffinoblasts in some mammals. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 10, 152–166 (1962).Google Scholar
  35. Tennyson, V. M.: The fine structure of developing nervous system. In: Developmental neurobiology, W. Hinwich, ed. Springfield. Ill: Publisher Charles C. Thomas 1970.Google Scholar
  36. Teräväinen, H.: Development of the myoneural junction in the rat. Z. Zellforsch. 87, 249–265 (1968).Google Scholar
  37. Viragh, Sz., Korenyi Both, A.: The fine structure of abdominal paraganglia in the newborn mouse. Acta biol. Acad. Sci. hung. 18(2), 161–179 (1967).Google Scholar
  38. Watanabe, H.: Adrenergic nerve elements in the hypogastric ganglion of the guinea pig. Amer. J. Anat. 130, 305–330 (1971).Google Scholar
  39. Watson, M. L.: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy with heavy metals. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 475–478 (1958).Google Scholar
  40. Wechsler, W., Schmekel, L.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung der Entwicklung der vegetativen (Grenzstrang-) und spinalen Ganglien bei Gallus domesticus. Acta neuroveg. (Wien) 30, 427–444 (1967).Google Scholar
  41. Yntema, C., Hammond, W. S.: The development of autonomic nervous system. Biol. Rev. 22, 344–359 (1947).Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1972

Authors and Affiliations

  • Lasse Kanerva
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of AnatomyUniversity of HelsinkiFinland

Personalised recommendations