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Acetylcholinesterase-positive neurons in the pineal and parapineal organs of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri (with special reference to the pineal tract)

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Summary

About 1500 nerve cells were demonstrated in the pineal organ of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, by means of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reaction (Karnovsky and Roots, 1964). The diameter of these elements is 10–15 μm in the end vesicle of the pineal organ and only 5–8 μm in the pineal stalk. The number of the AChE-positive neurons per unit area increases from the pineal end vesicle to the pineal stalk; most of them belong to the pseudounipolar type. An intrapineal ganglion with large, multipolar neurons occupies a rostromedial position. These cells exhibit a strong AChE reaction and are surrounded by a dense network of fibers. Thin bundles of axons form fiber pathways in the lateral walls of the pineal end vesicle. These roots converge to the pineal tract that is located in the dorsal portion of the pineal stalk and runs toward the posterior commissure.

Electron-microscopic studies of the pineal tract demonstrate 1700–2000 nerve fibers of two different structural types and calibers (1 and 2). At the level of the caudal end of the pineal stalk both types of nerve fibers are unmyelinated, whereas at the level of the subcommissural organ several of the Type-2 fibers are myelinated. In five rainbow trout the total fiber count of the pineal tract was correlated with the number of nerve cells present in the corresponding pineal organ.

Some AChE-positive neurons accompany the pineal tract.

In all rainbow trout examined the parapineal organ was located on the left side. AChE-positive nerve cells lie at the periphery of the parapineal organ. A well developed parapineal tract connects the parapineal organ with the left habenular ganglion. AChE-positive nerve cells are scattered around the parapineal organ and the parapineal tract.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Cytobiology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

    Horst-W. Korf

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  1. Horst-W. Korf
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The author is indebted to Professors A. Oksche and M. Ueck for their interest in this study. He is very grateful to Professor K. Wake, Osaka and Giessen, for giving him a thorough introduction to histological and histocbemical methods.

This investigation was supported in part by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to A. O. and M. U.

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Korf, HW. Acetylcholinesterase-positive neurons in the pineal and parapineal organs of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri (with special reference to the pineal tract). Cell Tissue Res. 155, 475–489 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227010

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227010

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