Summary
Freeze-fracture images of the parenchymal cells in the parathyroid gland of rats were observed after vitamin D2 plus calcium chloride-suppression and EGTA-activation of secretion. In cells of the suppressed glands, large bulges protruded from the Golgi cisternae, and large granules with a stalk, which are identified as storage granules, suggest that, during maturation, some storage granules may be connected by long tubules with the Golgi cisternae and supplied with secretory products from the Golgi cisternae via these tubules.
In the activated glands, presumptive exocytotic and endocytotic specializations of intramembranous particles of the parenchymal cell plasma membrane were frequently observed. In addition, elevations and complementary shallow depressions of various shape and extent were occasionally encountered in the intercellular space. From their morphological characteristics it was concluded that these originated from secretory granule cores, which are discharged from the parenchymal cells into the intercellular space by exocytosis, and it was suggested that discharged granule cores may retain their spherical shape until they fuse to form a flat conglomerate.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abraham M (1979) Freeze-etch study of the teleostean pituitary. Cell Tissue Res 199:397–407
Altennähr E (1970) Zur Ultrastruktur der Rattenepithelkörperchen bei Normo-, Hyper- und Hypocalcämie. Virchows Arch Abt A Path Anat 351:122–141
Aunis D, Hesketh JE, Devilliers G (1979) Freeze-fracture study of the chromaffin cell during exocytosis: Evidence for connection between the plasma membrane and secretory granules and for movements of plasma membrane-associated particles. Cell Tissue Res 197:433–441
Dreifuss JJ, Akert K, Sandri C (1976) Specific arrangements of membrane particles at sites of exoendocytosis in the freeze-etched neurohypophysis. Cell Tissue Res 165:317–325
Fujii H, Isono H (1972) Ultrastructural observations on the parathyroid gland of the hen (Gallus domesticus). Arch Histol Jpn 34:155–165
Goto Y (1978) Electron microscopic studies on the parathyroid gland of the adult guinea pig. I. Ultrastructures of the parathyroid under normal conditions. Nagasaki Igk Z 53:483–490 (in Japanese with English summary)
Ishimura K, Okamoto H, Fujita H (1976) Freeze-etching observations on the characteristic arrangement of intramembranous particles in the apical plasma membrane of the thyroid follicular cell in TSH- treated mice. Cell Tissue Res 171:297–303
Ishimura K, Egawa K, Fujita H (1980) Freeze-fracture images of exocytosis and endocytosis in anterior pituitary cells of rabbits and mice. Cell Tissue Res 206:233–241
Isono H, Shoumura S (1980) Effects of vagotomy on the ultrastructure of the rabbit. Acta Anat 108:273–280
Isono H, Shoumura S, Takai S, Yamahira T, Yamada S (1976) Electron microscopic observations on the parathyroid gland of the EDTA-treated frog, Rana rugosa. Okajimas Fol Anat Jpn 53:127–142
Isono H, Shoumura S, Ishizaki N, Hayashi K, Yamahira T (1979) Ultrastructure of the parathyroid gland of the Japanese lizard in the spring and summer season. J Morphol 161:145–156
Krstić R, Bucher O, Kazimierczak J (1974) Morphodynamik der C-Zellen der Schilddrüse und der Parathyroideazellen der Ratten nach ein- bis achtwöchiger Calcitoninbehandlung. Z Anat Entwickl-Gesch 114:19–38
Lindgren U, Boquist R (1976) The fine structure of the parathyroid glands with disuse osteoporosis. Anat Anz 139:305–312
Mazzocchi G, Meneghelli V, Serafini MT (1967) The fine structure of the parathyroid glands in the normal, the rachitic and the bilaterally nephrectomized rat with special interest to their secretory cycle. Acta Anat 68:550–566
Murakami K (1970) Electron microscopic studies on the effect of long-term hypercalcemia on the thyroid parafollicular cell and the parathyroid cell of rats. Arch Histol Jpn 32:155–178
Orci L (1976) Morphologic events underlying the secretion of peptide hormones. Excerpta Medica No 403, Vol 2:7–40
Orci L, Perrelet A, Friend DS (1977) Freeze-fracture of membrane fusion during exocytosis in pancreatic B cells. J Cell Biol 75:23–30
Ravazzola M, Orci L (1977) Intercellular junctions in the rat parathyroid gland: a freeze-fracture study. Biol Cellulaire 28:137–144
Ream LJ, Principato R (1981a) Ultrastructural observations on the mechanism of secretion in the rat parathyroid after fluoride ingestion. Cell Tissue Res 214:569–573
Ream LJ, Principato R (1981b) Glycogen accumulation in the parathyroid gland of the rat after fluoride ingestion. Cell Tissue res 220:125–130
Rohr H, Krässig B (1968) Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen über den Sekretionsmodus des Parathormones. Beiträge zu einer lysosomalen Mitbeteiligung bei Sekretionsergänge in endokrinen Drüse. Z Zellforsch 87:271–290
Roth SI, Raisz LG (1964) Effect of calcium concentrations on the ultrastructure of the rat parathyroid in organ culture. Lab Invest 13:331–345
Roth SI, Raisz LG (1966) The course and reversibility of the calcium effect on the ultrastructure of the rat parathyroid gland in organ culture. Lab Invent 15:1187–1211
Roth SI, Au WYW, Kunin AS, Krane SM, Raisz LG (1968) Effect of dietary deficiency in vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus on the ultrastructure of the rat parathyroid gland. Am J Pathol 53:631–650
Setoguti T, Inoue Y, Kato K (1981) Electron microscopic studies on the relationship between the frequency of parathyroid storage granules and serum calcium levels in the rat. Cell Tissue Res 219:457–467
Setoguti T, Inoue Y, Suematsu T (1982) Intercellular junctions of the hen parathyroid gland. A freeze-fracture study. J Anat 35:395–406
Stoeckel ME, Porte A (1973) Observations ultrastructurales sur la parathyroide de mammifère et d'oiseau dans les conditions hormonales et expérimentales. Arch Anat Microsc Morphol Exp 62:55–88
Theodosis DT (1979) Ultrastructural studies of membrane movement during hormone release in the neurohypophysis. Biol Cellulaire 36:147–154
Theodosis DT, Dreifuss JJ, Orci L (1978) A freeze-fracture study of membrane events during neurohypophysial secretion. J Cell Biol 78:542–553
Thiele J, Wermbter G (1974) Die Feinstruktur der aktivierten Hauptzelle der menschlichen Parathyroidea. Eine Darstellung mit Hilfe der Gefrierätztechnik. Virchows Arch Abt B Zellpath 15:251–265
Thliveris JA (1976) Fine structure of the fetal rat thyroid and parathyroid glands at term and during prolonged gestation. Cell Tissue Res 166:421–425
Wild P, Becker M (1980) Response of dog parathyroid glands to short-term alterations of serum calcium. Acta Anat 108:361–369
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Setoguti, T., Inoue, Y. Freeze-fracture study of the rat parathyroid gland under hypo- and hypercalcemic conditions, with special reference to secretory granules. Cell Tissue Res. 228, 219–230 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204874
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204874