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Activity of specific and non-specific cholinesterases in the subcommissural organ of guinea pig and albino rat

Light and electron microscopic observations

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Summary

The localizations of specific and non-specific cholinesterases were demonstrated by light and electron microscopical methods in the secretory cells of the subcommissural organ of the guinea pig and albino rat.

The activity of non-specific cholinesterase at light microscopical level appeared slightly stronger compared to the activity of the specific cholinesterase. No differences in the localizations of the both enzymes could be noticed.

In electron microscopic specimens no differences could be observed between the localization or intensity of the specific and non-specific cholinesterase reactions except some nerve fibres round the secretory hypendymal cells in which only a specific cholinesterase reaction product was noticed. The reaction product was found mainly in the cytoplasmic and nuclear membranes, in the rough and smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and around some secretory granules in the ependymal and hypendymal secretory cells of the subcommissural organ in guinea pig and albino rat.

The possible role of cholinesterases in the secretory cells of the subcommissural organ is further discussed. Their participation in the metabolism and/or secretion of the hormonal end products is suggested.

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  1. Jerzy Leonieni

    Present address: Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy ul., Narutowicza 60, Łódź, Poland

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  1. Department of Anatomy, University of Helsinki, Finland

    Leena Rechardt &  Jerzy Leonieni

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  1. Leena Rechardt
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  2. Jerzy Leonieni
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Rechardt, L., Leonieni, J. Activity of specific and non-specific cholinesterases in the subcommissural organ of guinea pig and albino rat. Histochemie 30, 115–121 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01444058

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