Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of melatonin and serotonin on the number of rat pineal “synaptic” ribbons and spherules in vitro

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Previous studies have shown that the “synaptic” ribbons (SR) and spherules (SS) of the mammalian pineal gland may respond differently under physiological and various experimental conditions. The aim of the present study was to gain insight into the mechanisms that may be responsible for the numerical changes of these organelles during a 24-h cycle. As the possibility exists that the structures are influenced by substances synthesized within the pinealocyte, rat pineal glands were cultured with and without added melatonin or serotonin, using an experimental protocol such that the addition of melatonin and serotonin mimicks the circadian changes of the respective substances within the pineal. The tissue was processed for electron microscopy and the numbers of SR and SS were counted in a unit area of pineal tissue. The results obtained indicate that melatonin added to the incubation medium increases the number of SR in the first half of the night; serotonin decreases SR numbers in the morning. SS numbers, by contrast, decrease following melatonin administration in the afternoon, and increase in the morning following serotonin administration. It thus appears that the numbers of SR and SS are influenced by melatonin and serotonin and that the two structures are regulated by differential, but nevertheless biochemically closely related mechanisms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Binkley SA (1981) Pineal biochemistry: comparative aspects and circadian rhythms. In: RJ Reiter (ed) The pineal gland. Anatomy and Biochemistry. Boca Raton, Florida, CRC Press, pp 155–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Brammer M, Binkley S (1981) Pineal glands of immature rat: rise and fall in N-acetyltransferase activity in vitro. J Neurobiol 12:167–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Craft CM, Reiter RJ (1984) Derivatives of (3H)serotonin in organ cultures of hamster pineal gland. Life Sci 34:1775–1782

    Google Scholar 

  • Deguchi T, Axelrod J (1972) Induction and superinduction of serotonin N-acetyltransferase by adrenergic drugs and denervation in rat pineal organ. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 69:2208–2211

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiske VM (1964) Serotonin rhythm in the pineal organ: control by sympathetic nervous system. Science 146:253–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Haldar-Misra C, Pévet P (1982) The influence of noradrenaline on the process of protein/peptide secretion in the mammalian pineal organ. Cell Tissue Res 224:33–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Haldar-Misra C, Pévet P (1983a) The influence of different 5-methoxyindoles on the process of protein/peptide secretion characterized by the formation of granular vesicles in the mouse pineal gland. An in vitro study. Cell Tissue Res 230:113–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Haldar-Misra C, Pévet P (1983b) Influence of melatonin on the process of protein and/or peptide secretion in the pineal gland of the rat and hamster. An in vitro study. Cell Tissue Res 231:73–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Haldar-Misra C, Pévet P (1983c) The influence of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) on the process of protein and/or peptide secretion characterized by the formation of granular vesicles in mammalian pinealocytes. Comparative in vitro study. Cell Tissue Res 232:529–538

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasek M (1974) Ultrastructure of rat pineal gland in organ culture; influence of norepinephrine, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate and adenohypophysis. Endokrinologie 64:106–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasek M (1976) Quantitative changes in number of “synaptic” ribbons in rat pinealocytes after orchidectomy and in organ culture. J Neural Transm 38:149–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasek M, Vollrath L (1982) “Synaptic” ribbons and spherules of the rat pineal gland: Day/night changes in vitro? Exp Brain Res 46:205–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasek M, King TS, Richardson BA, Hurlbut EC, Hansen JT, Reiter RJ (1982) Day-night differences in the number of pineal “synaptic” ribbons in two diurnal rodents, the chipmunk (Tamias striatus) and the ground squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii). Cell Tissue Res 224:689–692

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasek M, King TS, Brokaw J, Hansen JT, Petterborg LJ, Reiter RJ (1983) Inverse correlation between “synaptic” ribbon number and the density of adrenergic nerve endings in the pineal gland of various mammals. Anat Rec 205: 93–99

    Google Scholar 

  • King TS, Dougherty WJ (1980) Neonatal development of circadian rhythm in “synaptic” ribbon numbers in the rat pinealocyte. Am JAnat 157:335–343

    Google Scholar 

  • King TS, Dougherty WJ (1982a) Age-related changes in pineal “synaptic” ribbon populations in rats exposed to continuous light or darkness. Am J Anat 163:169–179

    Google Scholar 

  • King TS, Dougherty WJ (1982b) Effect of denervation on “synaptic” ribbon populations in the rat pineal gland. J Neurocytol 11:19–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein DC, Weller JL (1970a) Indole metabolism in the pineal gland: a circadian rhythm in N-acetyltransferase. Science 169:1093–1095

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein DC, Weller J (1970b) Input and output signals in a model neural system: the regulation of melatonin production in the pineal gland. In Vitro 6:197–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein DC, Weller JL (1973) Adrenergic-adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate regulation of serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity and the temporal relationship of serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity to synthesis of 3H-N-acetylserotonin and 3H-melatonin in the cultured rat pineal gland. J Pharmacol Exptl Ther 186:516–527

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein DC, Berg GR, Weller J (1970) Melatonin synthesis: adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate and norepinephrine stimulate N-acetyltransferase. Science 168:979–980

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein DC, Weller JL, Moore RY (1971) Melatonin metabolism: Neural regulation of pineal serotonin: acetyl coenzyme A Na cetyltransferase activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 68:3107–3110

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein DC, Juwiler A, Weller JL, Plotkin S (1973) Postsynaptic adrenergic-cyclic AMP control of the serotonin content of cultured rat pineal gland. J Neurochem 21:1261–1271

    Google Scholar 

  • Korf H-W, Moller M (1984) The innervation of the mammalian pineal gland with special reference to central pinealopetal projections. Pineal Res Rev 2:41–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Kosaras B, Welker HA, Vollrath L (1983a) Pineal “synaptic” ribbons and spherules during the estrous cycle in rats. Anat Embryol 166:219–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Kosaras B, Welker HA, Mess B, Vollrath L (1983b) Depressive effect of LHRH on the numbers of “synaptic” ribbons and spherules in the pineal gland of diestrous rats. Cell Tissue Res 229:461–466

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurumado K, Mori W (1977) A morphological study of the circadian cycle of the pineal gland of the rat. Cell Tissue Res 182:565–568

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurumado K, Mori W (1980) Pineal synaptic ribbons in blinded rats. Cell Tissue Res 208:229–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Lues G (1971) Die Feinstruktur der Zirbeldrüse normaler, trächtiger und experimentell beeinflußter Meerschweinchen. Z Zellforsch 114:38–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinez Soriano F, Welker HA, Vollrath L (1984) Correlation of the number of pineal “synaptic” ribbons and spherules with the level of serum melatonin over a 24-hour period in male rabbits. Cell Tissue Res 236:555–560

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsushima S, Morisawa Y, Aida I, Abe K (1983a) Circadian variations in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. A quantitative electron-microscopic study. Cell Tissue Res 228:231–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsushima S, Sakai Y, Aida I (1983b) Effects of melatonin on synaptic ribbons in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. A quantitative electron-microscopic study. Cell Tissue Res 233:59–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Möller W (1981) Cytobiology of the pineal organ in tissue culture. In: A Oksche, P Pévet (eds) The pineal organ: photobiology — biochronometry — endocrinology. Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam New York Oxford, pp 169–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Parfitt A, Klein DC (1977) Increase caused by desmethylimipramine in the production of (3H)melatonin by isolated pineal glands. Biochem Pharmacol 26:904–905

    Google Scholar 

  • Parfitt A, Weller JL, Klein DC (1976) Beta-adrenergic-blockers decrease adrenergically stimulated N-acetyltransferase activity in pineal glands in organ culture. Neuropharmacology 15:353–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay WB (1963) Circadian rhythm in rat pineal serotonin and its modifications by estrous cycle and photoperiod. Gen Comp Endocrinol 3:473–479

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay WB (1974) Pineal chemistry. Springfield, Ill, USA: Charles C Thomas

    Google Scholar 

  • Romijn HJ (1975) The ultrastructure of the rabbit pineal gland after sympathectomy, parasympathectomy, continuous illumination, and continuous darkness. J Neural Transm 36:183–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Romijn HF, Gelsema AJ (1976) Electron microscopy of the rabbit pineal organ in vitro. Evidence of norepinephrine-stimulated secretory activity of the Golgi-apparatus. Cell Tissue Res 172:365–377

    Google Scholar 

  • Semm P, Demaine C, Vollrath L (1981) Electrical responses of pineal cells to melatonin and putative transmitters. Evidence for circadian changes in sensitivity. Exptl Brain Res 43:361–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Shein HM (1975) Pineal gland organ culture techniques. Methods Enzymol 39:398–403

    Google Scholar 

  • Shein HM, Wurtman RJ (1969) Cyclic adenosine monophosphate: Stimulation of melatonin and serotonin synthesis in cultured rat pineals. Science 166:519–520

    Google Scholar 

  • Shein HM, Wurtman RJ (1971) Stimulation of (14C) tryptophan 5-hydroxylation by norepinephrine and dibutyryl adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate in rat pineal organ cultures. Life Sci (I) 10:935–940

    Google Scholar 

  • Shein HM, Wurtman RJ, Axelrod J (1967) Serotonin synthesis in pineal gland in organ culture. Nature 213:730–731

    Google Scholar 

  • Sitaram BR, Lees GJ (1984) Effect of oxygen on the induction of tryptophan hydroxylase by adrenergic agents in organ cultures of rat pineal glands. J Neurochem 42:1183–1185

    Google Scholar 

  • Snyder SH, Zweig M, Axelrod J, Fischer JE (1965) Control of the circadian rhythm in serotonin content of the rat pineal gland. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 53:301–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Theron JJ, Biagio R, Meyer AC, Boekkooi S (1979) Microfilaments, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and synaptic ribbon fields in the pinealocytes of the baboon (Papio ursinus). Am J Anat 154:151–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Theron JJ, Biagio R, Meyer AC (1981) Circadian changes in microtubules, synaptic ribbons and synaptic ribbon fields in the pinealocytes of the baboon (Papio ursinus). Cell Tissue Res 217:405–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollrath L (1973) Synaptic ribbons of a mammalian pineal gland. Circadian changes. Z Zellforsch 145:171–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollrath L (1981) The pineal organ. Hdb mikr Anat Mensch, VI/7 (A Oksche, L Vollrath, eds) Springer: Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollrath L, Howe C (1976) Light and drug induced changes of epiphysial synaptic ribbons. Cell Tissue Res 165:383–390

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollrath L, Huss H (1973) The synaptic ribbons of the guinea-pig pineal gland under normal and experimental conditions. Z Zellforsch 139:417–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollrath L, Welker HA (1984) No correlation of pineal “synaptic” ribbon numbers and melatonin formation in individual rat pineal glands. J Pineal Res 1:187–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollrath L, Schultz RL, McMillan PJ (1983) “Synaptic” ribbons and spherules of the guinea-pig pineal gland: Inverse day/night differences in number. Am J Anat 168:67–74

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. B. Kosaras

    Present address: Department of Neurology, University Medical School, Pécs, Hungary

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany

    L. Vollrath & B. Kosaras

  2. Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Institute of Pathology, Lodz, Poland

    M. Karasek

  3. School of Medicine, Institute of Endocrinology, Lodz, Poland

    J. Kunert-Radek & A. Lewinski

Authors
  1. L. Vollrath
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Karasek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. B. Kosaras
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Kunert-Radek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Lewinski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Financial support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Schwerpunktprogramm Neuroendokrinologie, Vo 135/8-4), the Polish Academy of Sciences (Research Program 10.4.04.6), and the Freunde der Universität Mainz e.V. is gratefully acknowledged.

On leave from Department of Anatomy, University Medical School, Pécs, Hungary

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vollrath, L., Karasek, M., Kosaras, B. et al. Influence of melatonin and serotonin on the number of rat pineal “synaptic” ribbons and spherules in vitro. Cell Tissue Res. 242, 607–611 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225426

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225426

Key words

Search

Navigation