Summary
The fine structure of the parvocellular tuberal nuclei and that of the ependyma bordering the third ventricle in the basal hypothalamus of the White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii, have been investigated. Photoperiodically stimulated birds have been compared with birds held on short days. The perikarya of the neurons of the basal infundibular (tuberal) nucleus, and in part, of the more dorsal layers, contain dense-cored granules (1000–1500 Å). The granules in the anterior part of the nucleus are somewhat larger than those of the posterior part. The synapses and the synaptic relationships of these cells are described.
The single-layered ependyma of the third ventricle in the basal hypothalamus may be divided into the dorsal typical ependyma, the ventrolateral “glandular” ependyma, and the ventral “glandular” ependyma. Cells of the ventral ependyma lack apical cilia but bear a few microvillous processes. They have well-developed Golgi apparatus, conspicuous polysomes, and frequently dense, irregularly-shaped granules. Basal cytoplasmic processes extend ventrally to the outer surface of the median eminence.
Photoperiodic stimulation appears to increase the numbers of apical protrusions of the cells in the ventral glandular ependyma and to cause an increase in size of the nerve cells of the basal infundibular nucleus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Benoit, J. Etude de l'action des radiations visibles sur la gonadostimulation et de leur pénétration intra-crânienne chez les Oiseaux et les Mammifères. In: La photorégulation de la reproduction chez les Oiseaux et les Mammifères (J. Benoit, I. Assenmacher, eds.), p. 121–146. Colloque International du C.N.R.S. No. 172. Paris: Editions du C.N.R.S. 1970
Calas, A.: Capture et rétention de monoamines dans des fibres nerveuses de l'éminence médiane. Etude in vivo chez le Canard par radioautographie â haute résolution. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 274, 925–927 (1972)
Calas, A., Hartwig, H.-G., Collin, J. P.: Noradrenergic innervation of the median eminence. Microspectrofluorimetric and pharmacological study in the duck, Anas platyrhynchos. Cell Tiss. Res. 147, 491–504 (1974)
Crosby, E. C., Showers, M. J.: Comparative anatomy of the preoptic and hypothalamic areas. In: The Hypothalamus (W. Haymaker, E. Anderson, W. J. H. Nauta, eds.), p. 61–135. Springfield, Ill.: Thomas 1969
Davies, D. T., Follett, B. K.: Changes in plasma luteinizing hormone in the Japanese quail after electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus. J. Endocr. 63, 31–32 (1974a)
Davies, D. T., Follett, B. K.: The effect of intraventricular administration of 6-hydroxydopamine on photo-induced testicular growth in Japanese quail. J. Endocr. 60, 277–283 (1974b)
Farner, D. S., Follett, B. K.: Light and other environmental factors affecting avian reproduction. J. An. Sci. 25, Suppl., 90–118 (1966)
Follett, B. K.: The neuroendocrine regulation of gonadotropin secretion in avian reproduction. In: Breeding Biology of Birds (D. S. Farner, ed.), p. 209–243. Washington: Nat. Acad. Sci. 1973
Graber, J. W., Frankel, A. I., Nalbandov, A. V.: Hypothalamic center influencing the release of LH in the cockerel. Gen. comp. Endocr. 9, 187–192 (1967)
Huber, G.C., Crosby, E.C.: The nuclei and fiber paths of the avian diencephalon with consideration of telencephalic and certain mesencephalic centers and connection. J. comp. Neurol. 48, 1–225 (1929)
Knigge, K. M., Scott, D. E., Kobayashi, H., Ishii, S. (eds.): Brain-Endocrine Interaction II. The Ventricular System. Basel-München-Paris-London-New York-Sydney: Karger 1975
Knigge, K. M., Scott, D. E., Weindl, A. (eds.): Brain-Endocrine Interaction. Median Eminence: Structure and Function. Basel-München-Paris-London-New York-Sydney: Karger 1972
Knowles, F., Vollrath, L. (eds.): Neurosecretion — The Final Neuroendocrine Pathway. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1974
Kuhlenbeck, H.: The ontogenetic development of the diencephalic centers in a bird's brain (chick) and comparison with the reptilian and mammalian diencephalon. J. comp. Neurol. 66, 23–73 (1937)
Mikami, S.-L: A correlative ultrastructural analysis of the ependymal cells of the third ventricle of Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica. In: Brain-Endocrine Interaction II. The Ventricular System (K. M. Knigge, E. E. Scott, H. Kobayashi, S. Ishü, eds.). Basel-München-Paris-London-New York-Sydney: Karger 1975, p. 80–93
Oehmke, H.-J.: Regionale Strukturunterschiede im Nucleus infundibularis der Vögel (Passeriformes). Z. Zellforsch. 92, 406–421 (1968)
Oehmke, H.-J.: Vergleichende neurohistologische Studien am Nucleus infundibularis einiger australischer Vögel. Z. Zellforsch. 122, 122–138 (1971)
Oksche, A.: Concluding remarks. In: Brain-Endocrine Interaction II. The Ventricular System (K. M. Knigge, D. E. Scott, H. Kobayashi, H. Ishii, eds.), p. 388–392. Basel-München-Paris-London-New York-Sydney: Karger 1975
Oksche, A., Farner, D. S.: Neurohistological studies on the hypothalamo-hypophysial system of Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii (Aves, Passeriformes). Ergebnisse der Anat. 48 (Fasc. 4), 136 p. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1974
Oksche, A., Kirschstein, H., Hartwig, H. G., Oehmke, H.-J., Farner, D. S.: Secretory parvocellular neurons in the rostral hypothalamus and in the tuberal complex of Passer domesticus. Cell Tiss. Res. 149, 363–369 (1974)
Oksche, A., Zimmermann, P., Oehmke, H.-J.: Morphometric studies of tuberoeminential systems controlling reproductive functions. In: Brain-Endocrine Interaction. Median Eminence: Structure and Function (K. M. Knigge, D. E. Scott, A. Weindl, eds.), p. 142–153. Basel-München-Paris-London-New York-Sydney: Karger 1972
Priedkalns, J., Oksche, A.: Ultrastructure of synaptic terminals in Nucleus infundibularis and Nucleus supraopticus of Passer domesticus. Z. Zellforsch. 98, 135–147 (1969)
Ralph, C. L.: Some effects of hypothalamic lesions on gonadotropin release in the hen. Anat. Rec. 134, 411–431 (1959)
Ralph, C. L., Fraps, R. M.: Effect of hypothalamic lesions on progesterone induced ovulation in the hen. Endocrinology 65, 819–824 (1959)
Sharp, P. J.: Tanycyte and vascular patterns in the basal hypothalamus of Coturnix quail with reference to their possible neuroendocrine significance. Z. Zellforsch. 127, 552–569 (1972)
Sharp, P. J., Follett, B. K.: The adrenergic supply within the avian hypothalamus. In: Aspects of Neuroendocrinology (W. Bargmann, B. Scharrer, eds.), p. 95–103. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1970
Stetson, M. H.: The role of the median eminence in control of photoperiodically induced testicular growth in the White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii. Z. Zell-forsch. 93, 369–394 (1969)
Stetson, M. H.: Neuroendocrine control of photoperiodically-induced fat deposition in White-crowned Sparrows. J. exp. Zool. 176, 409–414 (1971)
Szentágothai, J., Flerkó, B., Mess, B., Hálasz, B.: Hypothalamic control of the anterior pituitary. Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó 1960
Wada, M.: Blockade of photoperiodically-induced testicular growth by hypothalamic deafferentation in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Gen. comp. Endocr. 24, 113–120 (1974)
Warren-Soest, S., Farner, D. S., Oksche, A.: Fluorescence microscopy of neurons containing primary catecholamines in the ventral hypothalamus of the White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii. Z. Zellforsch. 141, 1–17 (1973)
Wilson, F. E.: The effects of hypothalamic lesions on the photoperiodic testicular response in White-crowned Sparrows, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii. Doct. Thesis., Washington State University, Pullman 1965
Wilson, F. E.: The tubero-infundibular neuron system: A component of the photoperiodic control mechanism of the White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii. Z. Zellforsch. 82, 1–24 (1967)
Wilson, F. E.: The tubero-infundibular region of the hypothalamus. A focus of testosterone sensitivity in male Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea. In: Aspects of Neuroendocrinology (W. Bargmann, B. Scharrer, eds.), p. 274–286. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1970
Wilson, F.E., Hands, G. R.: Hypothalamic neurosecretion and photoinduced testicular growth in the Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea. Z. Zellforsch. 89, 303–319 (1968)
Wingstrand, E. G.: The structure and development of the avian pituitary from a comparative and functional viewpoint. Gleerup: Lund 1951
Zambrano, D., De Robertis, E.: The effect of castration upon the ultrastructure of the rat hypothalamus. II. Arcuate nucleus and outer zone of the median eminence. Z. Zellforsch. 87, 409–421 (1968)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This investigation was supported by Grant No. GF-33334, U.S.-Japan Cooperative Science Program of the National Science Foundation and by Grant No. GB-28080X, also from the National Science Foundation, to Professor D. S. Farner; by Grant No. 5R040 from the Japan-U.S. Cooperative Science Program of the Japan Association for the Promotion to Science to Professor H. Kobayashi and Professor S.-I. Mikami; by a Scientific Research Grant, No. 956147, from the Ministry of Education of Japan to Professor S.-I. Mikami; and by assistance to Professor A. Oksche from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mikami, Si., Oksche, A., Farner, D.S. et al. The fine structure of the hypothalamic secretory neurons of the White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii (Passeriformes: Fringillidae). Cell Tissue Res. 162, 419–438 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209344
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209344