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On the retinal pigment epithelium of the barn owl (Tyto alba)

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Summary

The fine structure of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the barn owl (Tyto alba) is described. In general it resembles that of the retinal pigment epithelium of other vertebrate animals and a high content of myeloid bodies, lipid droplets, electron dense cytosomes, and especially phagosomes is observed. The latter show different structural specializations which include membranes, tubules, filaments, granules, vesicles, and crystalloid patterns. The central part of the retina often contains a peculiar inclusion body which is separated from the cytoplasm by one or two distinct membranes and is composed of a regularly arranged tubular network which forms a three-dimensional honeycomb structure. The tubules in part are in continuation with randomly oriented and densly packed tubules and stacks of discs consisting of paired lamellae. Similar formations within secretory cells of a gland (dendritic organ) and the taste buds of catfish are discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Die Feinstruktur des retinalen Pigmentepithels (RPE) der Schleiereule entspricht im wesentlichen dem allgemeinen Aufbau dieser Zellen im Vertebratenauge. Auffallend ist der Reichtum an sog. Myeloid-Körperchen, Fetttropfen, elektronendichten Einschlüssen und ganz besonders Phagosomen. Letztere sind sehr unterschiedlich zusammengesetzt und enthalten verschiedene Strukturen wie Membranbildungen, Tubuli, Filamente, Granula, kleine Bläschen und kristalline Muster. In den zentralen Netzhautbereichen kommen eigentümlich gebaute Einschlußkörper vor, die von ein oder zwei Hüllmembranen umgeben sind. Sie bestehen aus einem regelmäßigen, dreidimensionalen Netzwerk, das entweder mit geschichteten Membranstapeln oder mit knäuelförmigen Tubuli verbunden ist. Ähnliche Strukturen sind bisher in Sekretzellen von Drüsen bzw. Geschmacksknospen von Welsen beschrieben worden. Die Entstehung solcher Bildungen wird diskutiert.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy of the Philipps-University, Marburg a.d.L.

    Claus E. Dieterich

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  1. Claus E. Dieterich
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Additional information

This paper was presented in part at the 3rd annual meeting of the European Club for Ophthalmic Fine Structure in Marburg a.d.L. on March 7 and 8, 1975.

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Dieterich, C.E. On the retinal pigment epithelium of the barn owl (Tyto alba). Albrecht von Graefes Arch. Klin. Ophthalmol. 196, 247–254 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410036

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410036

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