Summary
The ultimobranchial gland (UBG) of birds is particularly rich in calcitonin, the hypocalcaemic hypophosphataemic hormone, that is secreted by the C-cells of the mammalian thyroid. The principal cells of the UBG have a striking resemblance with the mammalian C-cells, i.e., they possess small intracytoplasmic dense-core secretory granules, 150–300 nm in diameter. The gland also contains a second, morphologically distinct, endocrine cell type with larger granules, 500–800 nm in diameter. A sensitive immunocytochemical reaction was developed with the use of antibodies against salmon calcitonin. By means of this technique the presence of calcitonin-immunoreactive molecules was demonstrated in both secretory cell types of the UB gland of the chicken. This gland can thus be considered as a homogeneous calcitonin-producing tissue. Whether the secretory products are identical is discussed and differences in the secretory pathways are suggested.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chan AS (1971) Fine structure of the ultimobranchial gland in the chick. Proc Elect Microsc Soc Am 29:510–511
Coleman R (1970) The fine structure of ultimobranchial secretory cells in the anurans Rana temporaria L. and Bufo bufo L. Z Zellforsch 110:301–310
Coleman R (1972) A comparative ultrastructural study on ultimobranchial glands of some Israeli anurans (Bufo viridis, Rana ridibunda and Hyla arborea). Z Zellforsch 129:40–50
Copp DH, Cameron EC, Cheney BA, Davidson AGF, Henze KG (1962) Evidence for calcitonin — a new hormone from the parathyroid rat that lowers blood calcium. Endocrinology 70:638
Copp DH, Cockcroft DW, Kueh Y (1967) Ultimobranchial origin of calcitonin, hypocalcaemic effect of extracts from chicken glands. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 45:1095–1099
Cutler GB, Habener JF, Potts JT (1977) Biosynthesis and secretion of calcitonin by avian ultimobranchial glands. Endocrinology 100:537–548
Delellis RA, May L, Tashjian AH Jr., Wolfe HJ (1978) C-cell granule heterogeneity in man, an ultrastructural immunocytochemical study. Lab Invest 38:263–269
Feldman H, Rodbard D (1971) Principles of competitive proteinbinding assays. WD Odell, WH Daughaday (eds), JP Lippincott Comp, Philadelphia-Toronto, p 158–203
Hirsch PF, Gauthier GF, Munson PL (1963) Thyroid hypocalcaemic principle and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury as factors affecting the response to parathyroidectomy. Endocrinology 73:244–252
Hunter WM, Greenwood FC (1962) Preparation of 131I labelled human growth hormone of high specific activity. Nature (London) 194:495–496
Isler H (1973) Fine structure of the ultimobranchial body of the chick. Anat Rec 177:441–460
Khairallah LH, Clark NB (1971) Ultrastructure and histochemistry of the ultimobranchial body of fresh-water turtles. Z Zellforsch 113:311–321
Le Douarin N, Fontaine J, Le Lièvre C (1974) New studies on the neural crest origin of the avian ultimobranchial glandular cells. Interspecific combinations and cytochemical characterization of C cells based on the uptake of biogenic amine precursors. Histochemie 38:297–305
Moseley JM, Mattews EW, Breed RH, Galante L, Tse A, MacIntyre I (1968) The ultimobranchial origin of calcitonin. Lancet 108–110
Nieto A, Moya F, Candela JLR (1973) Isolation and properties of two calcitonins from chicken ultimobranchial glands. Biochim Biophys Acta 322:383–391
Palade G (1975) Intracellular aspect of the process of protein synthesis. Science 189:347–358
Pearse AGE (1968) Common cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of cells producing polypeptide hormones (The A.P.U.D. series) and their relevance to thyroid ultimobranchial cells and calcitonin. Proc R Soc London B 170:71–80
Robertson DR (1969) Some morphological observations of the ultimobranchial gland in the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. J Anat 105:115–127
Robertson DR (1971) Endocrinology of amphibian ultimobranchial glands. J Exp Zool 178:101–114
Robertson DR, Bell AL (1965) The ultimobranchial body in Rana pipiens. I. The fine structure. Z Zellforsch 66:118–129
Stoeckel ME, Porte A (1969) Etude ultrastructurale des corps ultimobranchiaux du poulet. Z Zellforsch 94:495–512
Tharaud D, Rouais F, Cressent M, Moukhtar MS, Milhaud G, Blanquet P (1977) Intracellular localization of calcitonin in the “C” cells of the rat. Experientia 33:1085–1086
Tisserand-Jochem EM, Eyquem A, Peignoux-Deville J, Calmettes C (1977) La calcitonine du corps ultimobranchial d'anguilles (Anguilla anguilla L.): localisation cytologique par immunofluorescence indirecte à l'aide d'un anticorps humain anti-calci-tonine de Saumon. CR Acad Sci Paris 285: série D 81–84
Treilhou-Lahille F (1982) The secretory process of the adult mouse thyroid “C” cells and the establishment of the secretory period during fetal life. Biol Cell 43:1–2, 103–120
Treilhou-Lahille F, Cressent M, Taboulet J, Moukhtar MS (1979) Immunohistochemical staining of mouse “C” cells during post-natal histogenesis of the thyroid. Histochemistry 63:69–80
Treilhou-Lahille F, Jullienne A, Aziz M, Beaumont A, Moukhtar MS (1984) Ultrastructural localization of immunoreactive calcitonin in the two cell types of the ultimobranchial gland of the common toad (Bufo bufo L.). Gen Comp Endocrinol (in press)
Van Norden S, Pearse AGE (1971) Immunofluorescent localization of calcitonin in the ultimobranchial gland of Rana temporaria and Rana pipiens. Histochemistry 26:95–97
Watzka M (1933) Vergleichende Untersuchungen über den ultimobranchialen Körper. Z Mikr Anat Forsch 34:485–533
Youshak MS, Capen CC (1971) Ultrastructural evaluation of ultimobranchial glands from normal and osteopetrotic chickens. Gen Comp Endocrinol 16:430–442
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Treilhou-Lahille, F., Lasmoles, F., Taboulet, J. et al. Ultimobranchial gland of the domestic fowl. Cell Tissue Res. 235, 439–448 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00217871
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00217871