Skip to main content
Log in

Influence of photoperiod on dense-core vesicles and synaptic ribbons of pinealocytes of the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus)

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Journal of Neural Transmission Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The ultrastructure of the superficial part of the pineal gland ofPbodopus sungorus was examined. Dense-core vesicles and synaptic ribbons in pinealocytes of animals kept under different photoperiods were counted, revealing marked differences. Pinealocytes of short-day animals compared with long-day animals exhibit an increase of dense-core vesicles coincident with a decrease of synaptic ribbons. It is assumed that the corresponding numerical changes of these organelles are of functional significance in relation to pineal secretory activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Benson B, Krasovich M (1977) Circadian rhythm in the number of granulated vesicles in the pinealocytes of mice. Effects of sympathectomy and melatonin treatment. Cell Tissue Res 184: 499–506

    Google Scholar 

  • Clabourg JW (1971) Ultrastructural features of the pineal gland in normal and light deprived golden hamsters. Z Zellforsch 114: 151–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldman BD, Darrow JM (1983) The pineal gland and mammalian photoperiodism. Prog Neuroendocrinol 37: 386–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewing M (1979) Synaptic ribbons during postnatal development of the pineal gland in the golden hamster(Mesocricetus auratus). Cell Tissue Res 199: 437–482

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewing M (1980) Synaptic ribbons in the pineal system of normal and light deprived golden hamsters(Mesocricetus auratus). Anat Embryol 159: 71–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann K (1973) The influence of photoperiod and melatonin on testis size, body weight and pelage colour in the djungarian hamster(Pbodopus sungorus). J Comp Physiol 85: 267–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann K (1979) Photoperiod, pineal, melatonin and reproduction in hamsters. Prog Brain Res 52: 397–414

    Google Scholar 

  • Juillard MT (1979) Dense-core vesicles in hamster and mouse pinealocytes: their proteinaceous content and their possible physiological significance. Ann Biol Anim Biochem Biophys 19: 413–428

    Google Scholar 

  • Juillard MT, Collin JP (1980) Pools of serotonin in the pineal gland of the mouse: the mammalian pinealocyte as a component of the diffuse neuroendocrine system. Cell Tissue Res 213: 273–291

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasek M, King TS, Hansen JT, Reiter RJ (1982) Quantitative changes in the numbers of dense-core vesicles and synaptic ribbons in pinealocytes of the djungarian hamster(Phodopus sungorus) following sympathectomy. Cytobios 35: 157–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasek M, Petterborg LJ, King TS, Hansen JT, Reiter RJ (1983 a) Effect of superior cervical ganglionectomy on the ultrastructure of the pinealocyte in the cotton rat(Sigmodon hispidus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 51: 131–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasek M, Jameson jr MEW, Hansen JT, Reiter RJ (1983 b) Ultrastructure of the pineal gland of the brush mouse (Peromyscus boylei): Influence of long and short photoperiod. J Neural Transm 56: 293–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasek M, King TS, Brokaw J, Hansen JT, Petterborg LJ, Reiter RJ (1983 c) Inverse correlation between synaptic ribbon number and the density of adrenergic nerve endings in the pineal gland of various mammals. Anat Rec 205: 93–100

    Google Scholar 

  • King TS, Dougherty WJ (1982) Effect of denervation on synaptic ribbon populations in the rat pineal gland. J Neurocytol 11: 19–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurumado K, Mori W (1980) Pineal synaptic ribbons in blinded rats. Cell Tissue Res 208: 229–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin HS, Hwang BH, Tseng CY (1975) Fine structural changes in the hamster pineal gland after blinding and superior cervical ganglionectomy. Cell Tissue Res 158: 285–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Lues G (1971) Die Feinstruktur der Zirbeldrüse normaler, trächtiger und experimentell beeinflußter Meerschweinchen. Z Zellforsch 114: 38–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsushima S, Morisawa Y (1982) Ultrastructural observations on the pineal gland of the chinese hamster,Cricetulus griseus. I. The superficial pineal. Cell Tissue Res 222: 531–546

    Google Scholar 

  • McNulty JA, Dombrowski TA (1980) Ultrastructural evidence for seasonal changes in pinealocytes of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel,Spermophilus tridecemlineatus: A qualitative and quantitative study. Anat Rec 196: 387–400

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiter RJ (1978) Pineal and reproduction. Karger, Basel, pp 169–190 (Progr Reprod Biol, vol 4)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiter RJ (1980) Photoperiod: its importance as an impeller of pineal and seasonal reproductive rhythms. Int J Biometeorol 24: 57–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiter RJ (1982) Neuroendocrine effects of the pineal gland and of melatonin. Front Neuroendocrinol 7: 287–316

    Google Scholar 

  • Romijn HJ (1975) The ultrastructure of the rabbit pineal gland after sympathectomy, parasympathectomy, continuous illumination and continuous darkness. J Neural Transm 36: 183–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Romijn HJ (1976) The influence of sympatholytic, parasympatholytic and serotonin-synthesis-inhibiting agents on the ultrastructure of the rabbit pineal organ. Cell Tissue Res 167: 167–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Romijn HJ, Gelsema AJ (1976) Electron microscopy of the rabbit pineal organin vitro. Evidence of norepinephrine-stimulated secretory activity of the golgi apparatus. Cell Tissue Res 172: 365–377

    Google Scholar 

  • Roux M, Richoux JP, Cordonnier JL (1977) Influence de la photoperiode sur l'ultrastructure de l'épiphyse avant et pendant la phase génitale saisonnière chez la femelle du lerot(Eliomys quercinus). J Neural Transm 41: 209–223

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheridan MN, Reiter RJ (1968) The fine structure of the hamster pineal gland. Am J Anat 122: 357–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Upson RH, Benson B (1977) Effects of binding on the ultrastructure of mouse pinealocytes with particular emphasis on the dense-core vesicles. Cell Tissue Res 183: 491–498

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollrath L (1981) The pineal gland. In: Oksche A, Vollrath L (eds) Handbuch der mikroskopischen Anatomie des Menschen, vol VI/7. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Weibel ER (1979) Stereological methods, vol I. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Welsh MG, Hansen JT, Reiter RJ (1979) The pineal gland of the gerbil,Meriones unguiculatus. III. Morphometric analysis and fluorescence histochemistry in the intact and sympathetically denervated pineal gland. Cell Tissue Res 204: 111–125

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fechner, J. Influence of photoperiod on dense-core vesicles and synaptic ribbons of pinealocytes of the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). J. Neural Transmission 67, 139–145 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01243366

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01243366

Key words

Navigation