Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ultrastructural study of the human neurohypophysis

I. neurosecretory axons and their dilatations in the pars nervosa

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

Summary

Neurosecretory axons and their dilatations in the pars nervosa of the human neurohypophysis were studied electron microscopically. The axons are of two different types based on their content of neurosecretory granules (NSGs): (i) NSGs of Type A are 100–300 nm, and (ii) NSGs of type B are 50–100 nm in diameter.

While fibers (or axons) of type B were scarce, showing simple swellings and terminal formations, fibers of type A were ubiquitous in the human pars nervosa, exhibiting numerous dilatations with a diversity of internal structure, apparently representing the ultrastructural manifestation of intraaxonal turnover of neurohypophysial hormones. Based on the predominating aspect of their internal structure, dilatations of type A-fibers were classified into six different types, with various transitional forms: Type I is characterized by abundant NSGs; type II by prominent mitochondria; type III by abundant lysosomal bodies; type IV by an electron-lucent matrix with few organelles; type V by prominent tubuloreticular profiles; and type VI by numerous microvesicles. The functional significance of each type is discussed and a scheme of possible interrelationships between these dilatations is proposed.

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

  • Aspeslagh, H.R., Vandesande, F., Dierickx, K.: Electron microscopic immunocytochemical demonstration of neurophysin-vasopressinergic and neurophysin-oxytocinergic fibers in the neural lobe of the rat hypophysis. Cell Tissue Res. 171, 31–37 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barer, R., Lederis, K.: Ultrastructure of the rabbit neurohypophysis with special reference to the release of hormone. Z. Zellforsch. 75, 201–239 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargmann, W.: Neurohypophysis, structure and function. In: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. (B. Berde, ed.) vol. 23, Neurohypophysial hormones and similar polypeptides, pp. 1–39. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer-Verlag 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargmann, W., Knoop, A.: Elektronenmikroskopische Beobachtungen an der Neurohypophyse. Z. Zellforsch. 46, 242–251 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergland, R.M., Torack, R.M.: An electron microscopic study of the human infundibulum. Z. Zellforsch. 99, 1–12 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D.J., Holmes, R.C.: Further studies on the neurohypophysis of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Z. Zellforsch. 75, 35–46 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniel, A.R., Lederis, K.: Effect of ether anaesthesia and haemorrhage on hormone storage and ultrastructure of the rat neurohypophysis. J. Endocrinol. 34, 91–104 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • De Robertis, E.: Ultrastructure and function in some neurosecretory systems. In: Neurosecretion (H. Heller and R.B. Clark, eds.) pp. 3–20, New York: Academic Press 1962

    Google Scholar 

  • Dellmann, H.D.: Degeneration and regeneration of neurosecretory systems. Int. Rev. Cytol. 36, 215–315 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dellmann, H. D., Rodríguez, E. M.: Herring bodies; an electron microscopic study of local degeneration and regeneration of neurosecretory axons. Z. Zellforsch. 111, 293–315 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dellmann, H.D., Stoeckel, M.E., Porter, A., Stutinsky, F.: Ultrastructure of the neurohypophysial glial cells following stalk transection in the rat. Experientia 30, 1220–1222 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dempsey, G.P., Bullivant, S., Watkins, W.B.: Ultrastructure of the rat posterior pituitary gland and evidence of hormone release by exocytosis as revealed by freeze-fracturing. Z. Zellforsch. 143, 465–484 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, W.W.: How do neurones secrete peptides? Exocytosis and its consequence, including “synaptic vesicle” formation, in hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system. Prog. Brain Res. 39, 21–38 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, W.W., Nagasawa, J., Schulz, R.: Electron microscopic studies on the mechanism of secretion of posterior pituitary hormones and significance of microvesicles (synaptic vesicles). In: Subcellular organization and function of endocrine tissue. (H. Heller and K. Lederis, ed.) pp. 353–378. New York: Cambridge Univ. Press 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Dreifuss, J.J.: A review on neurosecretory granules, their contents and mechanisms of release. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 258, 184–201 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dreifuss, J.J., Normann, K., Akert, K., Sandri, C., Moor, H.: Exoendocytosis in the neurohypophysis as revealed by freeze-fracturing. In: Neurosecretion — The final neuroendocrine pathway. (F. Knowles and L. Vollrath, eds.) pp. 31–37. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer-Verlag 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Duffy, P.E., Menefee, M.: Electron microscopic observation of neurosecretory granules, nerve and glial fibers, and blood vessels in the median eminence of the rabbit. Amer. J. Anat. 117, 251–286 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginsburg, M.: Production, release, transportation and elimination of the neurohypophysial hormones. In: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. (B. Berde, ed.) vol 23, Neurohypophysial hormones and similar polypeptides, pp. 286–371. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer Verlag 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, J.D.: Microanatomical aspects of the formation of neurohypophysial hormones and neurosecretion. In: The pituitary gland. (G.W. Harris and B.T. Donovan, eds.) vol. 3, pp. 240–268. Los Angeles: Univ. of California Press 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann, J.F.: Electron microscopy of the neurohypophysis in normal and histamine-treated rats. Z. Zellforsch. 48, 291–308 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Heap, P.F., Jones, C.W., Morris, J.F., Pickering, B.T.: Movement of neurosecretory products through the anatomical compartments of the neural lobe of the pituitary gland; An electron microscopic autoradiographic study. Cell Tissue Res. 156, 483–497 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Herring, P.T.: The histological appearances in the mammalian pituitary body. Quart. J. Exp. Physiol. 1, 121–159 (1908)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, R.L., Knowles, F.: “Synaptic” vesicles in the neurohypophysis. Nature (Lond.) 185, 710–711 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, F.G.W.: Evidence for a dual control, by neurosecretion, of hormone synthesis and hormone release in the pituitary of the dogfish (Scylliorhinus stellaris). Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London, Ser. B. 249, 435–456 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kodoma, Y., Fujita, H.: Some findings on the fine structure of the neurohypophysis in dehydrated and pitressin-treated mice. Acta Histol. Jpn. 38, 121–131 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Krisch, B., Becker, K., Bargmann, W.: Exocytose im Hinterlappen der Hypophyse. Z. Zellforsch. 123, 47–54 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurosumi, K., Matsuzawa, T., Shibasaki, S.: Electron microscope studies on the fine structure of the pars nervosa and pars intermedia, and their morphological interrelation in the normal rat hypophysis. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 1, 433–452 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lederis, K.: The fine structure and hormone contents of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system of the rainbow trout (Salmo irideus) exposed to sea water. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 4, 638–661 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lederis, K.: An electron microscopical study of the human neurohypophysis. Z. Zellforsch. 65, 847–868 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lederis, K.: Beziehung zwischen der Ultrastruktur der Neurohypophyse und biologisch aktiven Substanzen. Arch. Pharmak. Exp. Path. 257, 53–93 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lederis, K.: Neurosecretion and the functional structure of the neurohypophysis. In: Handbook of Physiology-Endocrinology IV, part 1 (E. Knobil and W.H. Sawyer, eds.) pp. 81–102. Washington: American Physiological Soc. 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Lederis, K., Livingston, A.: Neuronal and subcellular location of acetylcholine in the posterior pituitary of the rabbit. J. Physiol. (Lond) 210, 187–204 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Livingston, A., Lederis, K.: Functional ultrastructure of the neurohypophysis. In: Subcellular organization and function in endocrine tissue. (H. Heller and K. Lederis, eds.) pp. 233–262. New York: Cambridge Univ. Press 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Lüllmann-Rauch, R.: Alteration in the neurohypophysis of rats treated with chlorphentermine or tricyclic antidepressants. Cell Tissue Res. 169, 501–514 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Monroe, B.G.: A comparative study of the ultrastructure of the median eminence, infundibular stem, and neural lobe of the hypophysis of the rat. Z. Zellforsch. 76, 405–432 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, J.F.: Distribution of neurosecretory processes of the pituitary gland; A quantitative ultrastructural approach to hormone storage in the neural lobe. J. Endocrinol. 68, 225–234 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, J.F., Cannata, M.A.: Ultrastructural preservation of the dense core of posterior pituitary neurosecretory granules and its implications for hormone release. J. Endocrinol. 57, 517–529 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagasawa, J., Douglas, W.W., Schulz, R.A.: Ultrastructural evidence of secretion by exocytosis and ”synaptic vesicle“ formation in posterior pituitary glands. Nature (Lond.) 227, 407–409 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagasawa, J., Douglas, W.W., Schulz, R.A.: Micropinocytotic origin of coated and smooth microvesicles (“synaptic vesicles”) in neurosecretory terminals of posterior pituitary glands demonstrated by incorporation of horseradish peroxidase. Nature (Lond) 232, 341–342 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordmann, J.J.: Neurosecretion by exocytosis. Int. Rev. Cytol. 46, 1–78 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Palay, S.L.: An electron microscopic study of the neurohypophysis in normal, dehydrated rats. Anat. Rec. 121, 348 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Palay, S.L., Wissig, S.L.: Secretory granules and Nissl substance in fresh supraoptic neurones of the rabbit. Anat. Rec. 116, 301–313 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pappas, G.D., Waxman, S.G.: Synaptic fine structure-morphological correlates of chemical and electrotonic transmission. In: Structure and function of synapses. (G.D. Pappas and D.P. Purpura, eds.) pp. 1–44. New York: Raven Press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickering, B.T., Jones, C.W., Burford, G.D.: Biochemical aspects of the hypophalamo-neurohypophysial neuron. In: Neurosecretion — The final neuroendocrine pathway. (F. Knowles and L. Vollrath, eds.) pp. 72–85. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer Verlag 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Polenov, A.L., Garlov, P.E.: The hypothalamo-hypophysial system in Acipenseridae I. Ultrastructural organization of large neurosecretory terminals (Herring bodies) and axoventricular contacts. Z. Zellforsch. 116, 349–374 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Polenov, A.L., Ugrumou, M.V., Belenky, H.A.: On degeneration of peptidergic neurosecretory fibers in the albino rat. Cell Tissue Res. 160, 113–123 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rufener, C.: Autophagy of secretory granules in the rat neurohypophysis. Neuroendocrinology 13, 314–320 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs, H., Haller, E.W.: Further studies on the capacity of the neurohypophysis to release vasopressin. Endocrinology 83, 251–262 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs, H., Share, L., Osinchak, J.: Capacity of the neurohypophysis to release vasopressin. Endocrinology 81, 755–770 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Santolaya, R.C., Bridges, T.E., Lederis, K.: Elementary granules, small vesicles and exocytosis in the rat neurohypophysis after acute hemorrhage. Z. Zellforsch. 125, 277–288 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharrer, B., Weitzman, M.: Current problems in invertebrate neurosecretion. In: Aspects of neuroendocrinology. (W. Bargmann and B. Scharrer, eds.) pp. 1–23. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer Verlag 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Theodosis, D.T., Dreifuss, J.J., Orci, L.: Two classes of microvesicles in the neurohypophysis. Brain Res. 123, 159–163 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorn, N.A.: In vitro studies of the release mechanism for vasopressin in rats. Acta Endocrinol. 53, 644–654 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandesande, F., Dierickx, K.: Identification of the vasopressin producing and of the oxytocin producing neurons in the hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory system of the rat. Cell Tissue Res. 164, 153–162 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Leeuwen, F.W., Swaab, D.F.: Specific immunoelectronmicroscopic localization of vasopressin and oxytocin in the neurohypophysis of the rat. Cell Tissue Res. 177, 493–501 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vazquez, R., Amat, P.: The ultrastructure of Herring bodies in rats subjected to different experimental conditions. Cell Tissue Res. 189, 41–51 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollrath, L.: New trends in vertebrate neurosecretion. In: Neurosecretion — The final neuroendocrine pathway. (F. Knowles and L. Vollrath, eds.) pp. 276–284. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer Verlag 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitaker, S., LaBella, F.S.: Ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase in the posterior pituitary of the dehydrated rat. Z. Zellforsch. 125, 1–15 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zambrano, D., De Robertis, E.: The ultrastructural changes in the neurohypophysis after destruction of the paraventricular nuclei in normal and castrated rats. Z. Zellforsch. 88, 496–510 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 30322, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    S. Seyama, G. S. Pearl & Y. Takei M.D.

Authors
  1. S. Seyama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. S. Pearl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Y. Takei M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Seyama, S., Pearl, G.S. & Takei, Y. Ultrastructural study of the human neurohypophysis. Cell Tissue Res. 205, 253–271 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234684

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234684

Key words

Search

Navigation