Summary
Ultrastructure of the cat carotid body was studied after fixation in either 1.5% glutaraldehyde in 1/15 Sørensen buffer (pH 7.35; 520 milliosmol), or 2.1% osmium tetroxide in 0.1 M s-collidine buffer. After fixation in osmium tetroxide, the content of osmiophilic granules was depleted, elution of the tissue matrix was observed, and pinocytotic vesicles appeared at covering and endothelial cell membranes.
After fixation in glutaraldehyde, these characteristics were not observed and osmiophilic granules were always filled. Osmiophilic granules were also present in nerve endings and preterminal nerve fibers. According to Iversen (1967a, b), the osmiophilic granules probably contain ATP and catecholamines in a 1∶4 molar ratio. To activate ATP in hypoxic states, it appears that Ca2+ ions must diffuse into the chemoreceptor cells to alter their membrane potential. The resulting electrolytic changes appear to be related to carotid body excitation.
Zusammenfassung
Die submikroskopische Morphologie des Glomus caroticum der Katze wird beschrieben. Zur Anwendung kamen zwei Fixationsmedien: 1.5%iges Glutaraldehyd in 1/15 m Sørensen-Puffer (pH 7,35; 520 Milliosmol) und 2.1%ige Osmiumsäure in 0,1m s-CollidinPuffer (pH 7,35; 310 Milliosmol). Ein Vergleich der Strukturen nach Behandlung mit den beiden Mitteln ergibt erhebliche Differenzen, die in einer Entleerung der osmiophilen Bläschen, Eluation der Gewebsmatrix und der Anwesenheit von inocytosebläschen an den Hüllzell- und Endothelmembranen nach Osmiumsäurefixation (s-Collidin-gepuffert) bestehen. Nach Fixation in Glutaraldehyd (in Sørensen-Puffer) sind diese Erscheinungen nicht vorhanden, hingegen stellen sich die osmiophilen Bläschen immer gefüllt dar. Sie sind auch in Nervenendigungen und in den präterminalen Nervenfasern zu finden. Nach Iversen (1967a, b) enthalten die osmiophilen Bläschen wahrscheinlich ATP und Katecholamine im molaren Verhältnis von 1∶4. Zur Aktivierung von ATP bei einer hypoxischen Stoffwechsellage ist ein Einstrom von Ca2+ Ionen notwendig, die das Membranpotential der Chemorezeptorzellen verändern. Es wird ein Innervationsmechanismus aufgrund dieser Elektrolytverschiebung diskutiert.
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Herrn Prof. Dr. Dr. W. Bargmann in Verehrung zu seinem 65. Geburtstag gewidmet.
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Knoche, H., Kienecker, E.W. & Schmitt, G. Elektronenmikroskopischer Beitrag zur Kenntnis des Glomus caroticum (Katze). Z.Zellforsch 112, 494–515 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01033376
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01033376