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An ultrastructural study of the neurosecretory cells of the medial vascular prechiasmatic gland, the preoptic recess and the anterior part of the suprachiasmatic area

I. Cytoplasmic inclusions resembling nucleoli

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Summary

A distinctive cytoplasmic inclusion, termed nucleolus-resembling body, was identified in the neurons, but not in the glial cells, of the medial vascular prechiasmatic gland, the preoptic recess and the anterior part of the suprachiasmatic area in the rat. This ultrastructure which lacks a limiting membrane is made of an entanglement of tightly packed filaments, 60–70 Å in diameter. Each filament consists of smaller units, 15–20 Å thick. Usually, only one such ultrastructure is present in a cell, but at time two were identified. It is present in most neurosecretory cells. It is surrounded by polyribosomes in the perikaryon of the nerve cells. Furthermore, it is linked to peripherally located ribosomes by means of filaments, 70 Å in diameter. A possible function in protein synthesis of structural components, such as neurofilaments, is hypothesized. Two distinctive fibrillar areas were identified in the nucleolus according to the tightness with which fibrils were packed together. Their significance is discussed. Nucleolar extrusions were never observed in our studies. Paranucleolar and coiled bodies were identified in the nuclear sap. The mechanism of formation and the significance of these bodies are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département d'Anatomie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada

    Yvi J. Le Beux M. D.

  2. Laboratoires de Neurobiologie Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, P. Q., Canada

    Yvi J. Le Beux M. D.

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This work was supported by research grant MA-3448 from the Medical Research Council of Canada.

The author wishes to thank Professor Louis J. Poirier and Doctor Anne Kitsikis for their helpful criticism during the preparation of the manuscript. The skillful technical assistance of Miss Marjolaine Thiffeault is gratefully acknowledged.

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Le Beux, Y.J. An ultrastructural study of the neurosecretory cells of the medial vascular prechiasmatic gland, the preoptic recess and the anterior part of the suprachiasmatic area. Z. Zellforsch. 114, 404–440 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00331464

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00331464

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