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The pineal organ of the newt; a developmental study

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Summary

The normal development and cytology of the pineal organ in the newt, Taricha torosa has been described in detail. Particular emphasis has been placed on the origin of the initial pineal bud in the embryonic diencephalic roof, and the manner in which new pineal cells are proliferated in a zone surrounding the orifice of the developing pineal vesicle. These new cells apparently migrate into the walls of the enlarging vesicle and a certain number undergo progressive differentiation to become photoreceptor-like pineal sensory cells; the highest degree of this differentiation being obtained by cells whose processes protrude into the anterior, posterior, and lateral margins of the vesicle lumen.

The well-formed, wide-lumened vesicle typical of early larval stages has thusfar not demonstrated any detectable cytological alterations under the influence of light, dark, pressure, or chemical stimulating agents we have employed. Within a few weeks, this young larval vesicle becomes flattened to assume the appearance of a more glial vascularized organ. In adult pineal organs it has been possible to observe aldehyde fuchsin-positive accumulations in the processes of supportive cells terminating near capillary walls. Other aspects of adult pineal cytology and innervation have also been considered in this report.

A series of implants of embryonic pineal primordia into older larval host eye chambers and tailfins has given information on the development of vesicles in these sites under the influence of varying amounts of diencephalic roof tissue included with the grafts. A tentative hypothesis has been formulated to account for the tendency of a single primordium to differentiate into a larger than normal pineal mass when implanted into the tail mesenchyme with a moderate amount of diencephalic roof tissue. This hypothesis brings into focus the normal growth characteristics of the young organ developing from a broad initial pineal field and their possible modification under the influence of surrounding tissues during normal ontogeny.

Incidental to the main purposes of the study, observations have been made on the pigment behavior of larvae carrying supernumerary pineal implants. These observations are discussed in the light of recent proposals by other authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA

    Douglas E. Kelly

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With technical assistance of Mr. Charles Cintron, Mr. Gary Clark, Miss Jean Ewalt, and Mr. Paul Johnson. The author has also been fortunate to have the interest and suggestions of Dr. Stuart Smith. Since a portion of this study was accomplished at the Zoological Laboratory, Utrecht, Holland, special thanks are due the members of that organization for their hospitality and technical advice.

Portions of this research were supported by a post-doctoral fellowship (BF7283-C) from the United States Public Health Service, a research grant (G-14423) from the National Science Foundation, and grants from the University of Colorado Council on Research and Creative Work.

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Kelly, D.E. The pineal organ of the newt; a developmental study. Z.Zellforsch 58, 693–713 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410657

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