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The pineal complex of the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus L.

A light-, electron microscopic and fluorescence histochemical investigation

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Summary

The pineal complex of the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) was investigated by light and electron microscopy, as well as fluorescence histochemistry for demonstration of catecholamines and indolamines. The pineal complex of the stickleback consists of a pineal organ and a small parapineal organ situated on the left side of the pineal stalk. The pineal organ, including the entire stalk, is comprised mainly of ependymal-type interstitial cells and photoreceptor cells with well-developed outer segments. Both unmyelinated and myelinated nerve fibres are present in the pineal organ. Nerve tracts from the stalk enter the habenular and posterior commissures. A small bundle of nerve fibres connects the parapineal organ and the left habenular body. The presence of indolamines (5-HTP, 5-HT) was demonstrated in cell bodies of both the pineal body and the pineal stalk, and catecholaminergic nerve fibres surround the pineal complex.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden

    Th. van Veen, P. Ekström & B. Borg

  2. Institute of Medical Anatomy Dept. B, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    M. Møller

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  1. Th. van Veen
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  2. P. Ekström
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  3. B. Borg
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  4. M. Møller
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van Veen, T., Ekström, P., Borg, B. et al. The pineal complex of the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus L.. Cell Tissue Res. 209, 11–28 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219919

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