Summary
The pineal gland of the mole, a mammal which lives in permanent darkness, has been studied using fluorescence histochemistry. An extensive catecholaminergic innervation is demonstrated. A yellow formaldehyde-induced fluorescence, characteristic of indoleamines, was not observed. If formaldehyde vapour treatment was omitted in the procedure, numerous cells containing yellow-orange autofluorescent material could be shown. The nature and possible function of this material is discussed.
Résumé
Une étude de la glande pinéale de la Taupe, animal vivant toujours dans une obscurité complète, a été entreprise selon la technique de fluorescence décrite par Falck et al. (1962). Une importante innervation catécholaminergique a été démontrée tandis que la fluorescence jaune — caractéristique des indoleamines-n'a pas été observée. Après omission du traitement par la formaldehyde, de très nombreuses cellules contenant du material autofluorescent (jaune-orange) furent observées. La nature et la fonction de ce material autofluorescent est discutée.
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This paper is dedicated in great admiration and appreciation to Prof. Dr. W. Bargmann on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
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Pevet, P., Juillard, M.T., Smith, A.R. et al. The pineal gland of the mole (Talpa europaea L.). Cell Tissue Res. 165, 297–306 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222434
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222434