Summary
Restricted numbers of substance P-like-immuno-reactive (SPL-IR) neurons were demonstrated in the photosensory pineal organ of the rainbow trout. The small parapineal organ of this teleost species receives a distinct SPL-IR innervation via the habenular nuclei, but displays no intrinsic SPL-IR neurons. Intrapineal SPL-IR neurons were located in the rostral portion of the pineal end-vesicle. Neuronal somata were found in a lateral position with smooth axonal processes extending mediad. Immunoreactive somata and axonal processes were observed intraparenchymally as well as in the pineal lumen. The pattern of immunoreactivity was not changed in excised pineal organs that had been incubated in tissue culture medium in the dark for 18 h. The possibility that the intrapineal SPL-IR neurons are not part of the neural circuitry involved in the transduction of photic information, but may have other functions, is discussed.
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Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany
Supported by research funds from the Deutsche Forschungsge-meinschaft (Ko 758/2-4)
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Ekström, P., Korf, H.W. Substance P-like-immunoreactive neurons in the photosensory pineal organ of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson (Teleostei). Cell Tissue Res. 246, 359–364 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00215898
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00215898