Summary
Morphological evidence is presented supporting the possibility of basal secretion into hypendymal capillaries of the adult rabbit subcommissural organ (SCO). The synthetic apparatus of the SCO cell is described as well as the heterogeneous granules and vesicles which are concentrated in the basal processes bordering a widened perivascular space. The origin of the electron dense granules, of which two fairly distinct subgroups are found, is discussed.
A binding of secretory sacs to the lateral plasma membrane is seen. The possibility of a lateral secretion is supported by the presence of a system of extracellular channels between SCO cells which are filled with a flocculent material resembling that of the secretory sacs.
Nerve perikarya which are separated from the SCO by only a few glial fibers are demonstrated. Synapses are described in nerve fascicles bordering on the hypendymal capillaries. The possibility of an innervation of the hypendymal region is discussed as well as possible nervous connections with the pineal gland.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bargmann, W. Schiebler, Th. H.: Histologische und cytochemische Untersuchungen am Subkommissuralorgan von Säugern. Z. Zellforsch. 37, 583–596 (1952).
Dendy, A.: On the parietal sense organs and associated structures in the New Zealand lamprey. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 51, 1 (1907).
Farquhar, M. G.: Lysosome function in regulating secretion: disposal of secretory granules in cells of the anterior pituitary gland. In: Frontiers of biology (Neuberger, A. and Tatum, E., ed.) 14B(2), p. 462–482. Amsterdam: North Holland Publishing Co. 1969.
Fuxe, K.: Evidence for the existence of monoamine neurons in the central nervous system. IV. Distribution of monoamine nerve terminals in the central nervous system. Acta physiol. scand. 64, Suppl. 247, 39–85 (1965).
Herndon, R.: Lamellar bodies, an unusual arrangement of the granular endoplasmic reticulum. J. Cell Biol. 20, 338–342 (1964).
Herrlinger, H.: Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am Subcommissuralorgan der Maus. Ergebn. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 42, 1–73 (1970).
Hodge, A., Schmitt, F.: The charge profile of the tropocollagen macromolecule and the packing arrangement in native-type collagen fibrils. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 46, 186–197 (1960).
Isomäki, A., Kivalo, E., Talanti, S.: Electron-microscopic structure of the subcommissural organ in the calf (Bos taurus) with special reference to secretory phenomena. Ann. Acad. Sci. fenn. A5. 111, 1–64 (1965).
Kimble, J. E., Sørensen, S., Møllgård, K.: Cell junctions in the subcommissural organ of the rabbit as revealed by use of ruthenium red. Z. Zellforsch. 137, 375–386 (1973).
Marburg, O.: Neue Studien über die Zirbeldrüse. Arb. neurol. Inst. Univ. Wien 23, 1–35 (1920).
Møllgård, K., Møller, M.: On the innervation of the human fetal pineal gland. Brain Res. 52, 428–432 (1973).
Murakami, M., Nakayama, N., Tanaka, H.: Fine structure of the perivascular space of the Gecko japonicus subcommissural organ. Experientia (Basel) 25, 252–253 (1969).
Murakami, M., Okita, S., Nagano, Y.: Electron microscopic observation of the subcommissural organ in the soft-shelled turtle, Amyda japonica. Arch. histol. jap. 31, 199–208 (1970).
Murakami, M., Shimada, T., Oribe, T., Hiraki, T.: An electron microscopic study on the subcommissural organ of the monkey, Macacus fuscatus. Arch. histol. jap. 34, 61–72 (1972).
Murakami, M., Tanizaki, T.: An electron microscopic study on the toad subcommissural organ. Arch. histol. jap. 23, 337–358 (1963).
Murakami, M., Tanizaki, T.: Feinstruktur des Subkommissuralorgans von Kugelfisch, Spheroides niphobles. Arch. histol. jap. 27, 327–343 (1966).
Oksche, A.: Untersuchungen über die Nervenzellen und Nervenverbindungen des Stirnorgans, der Epiphyse und des Subcommissuralorgans bei anuren Amphibien. Morph. Jb. 95, 393–425 (1955).
Oksche, A.: The subcommissural organ. J. Neuro-Visc. Relat., Suppl. 9, 111–139 (1969).
Oksche, A., Vaupel-von Harnack, M.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an den Nervenbahnen des Pinealkomplexes von Rana esculenta L. Z. Zellforsch. 68, 389–426 (1965).
Oldendorf, W., Davson, H.: Brain extracellular space and the sink action of cerebrospinal fluid. Arch. Neurol. 17, 196–205 (1967).
Olsson, R.: Studies on the subcommissural organ. Acta Zool. (Stockh.). 39, 71–102 (1958).
Palkovits, M.: Morphology and function of the subcommissural organ. Stud. biol. hung. 4, 1–105 (1965).
Papacharalampous, N., Schwink, A., Wetzstein, R.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am Subcommissuralorgan des Meerschweinchens. Z. Zellforsch. 90, 202–229 (1968).
Peters, A., Palay, S., Webster, H.: In: Fine structure of the nervous system, p. 133. New York-Evanston-London: Harper & Row 1970.
Pfenninger, K.: Synaptic morphology and cytochemistry. Progr. Histochem. Cytochem. 5, 1–86 (1973).
Rodríguez, E.: Ependymal specializations II. Ultrastructural aspects of the apical secretion of the toad subcommissural organ. Z. Zellforsch. 111, 15–31 (1970a).
Rodríguez, E.: Ependymal specializations. III. Ultrastructural aspects of the basal secretion of the toad subcommissural organ. Z. Zellforsch. 111, 32–50 (1970b).
Schmidt, W., D'Agostino, A.: The subcommissural organ of the adult rabbit. Neurology (Minneap.) 16, 373–378 (1966).
Schwink, A., Wetzstein, R.: Die Kapillaren im Subcommissuralorgan der Ratte. Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an Tieren verschiedenen Lebensalters. Z. Zellforsch. 73, 56–88 (1966).
Smith, U.: Aspects of fine structure and function of the subcommissural organ of the embryonic chick. Tissue & Cell. 2, 19–32 (1970).
Stanka, P.: Über den Sekretionsvorgang im Subkommissuralorgan eines Knochenfisches (Pristella riddlei Meek). Z. Zellforsch. 77, 404–415 (1967).
Stanka, P., Schwink, A., Wetzstein, R.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung des Subcommissuralorgans der Ratte. Z. Zellforsch. 63, 277–301 (1964).
Vigh, B., Röhlich, P., Teichmann, I., Aros B.: Ependymosecretion (Ependymal neurosecretion) VI. Light and electron microscopic examination of the subcommissural organ of the guinea pig. Acta biol. Acad. Sci. hung. 18, 53–66 (1967).
Wislocki, G. Leduc, E.: The cytology and histochemistry of the subcommissural organ and Reissner's fiber in rodents. J. comp. Neurol. 97, 515–543 (1952).
Yamada, H., Okawa, S., Kushima, S., Nakai, A.: Innervation of the pineal body and the subcommissural and supracommissural organs of the dog. Bull. Tokyo med. dent. Univ. 4, 174 (1957).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was supported by grants from Statens almindelige Videnskabsfond, Copenhagen.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kimble, J.E., Møllgård, K. Evidence for basal secretion in the subcommissural organ of the adult rabbit. Z.Zellforsch 142, 223–239 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307034
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307034