Summary
Reserpine and guanethidine produce a highly significant reduction in electron density of the synaptic bars in the sensory cells of the bullfrog labyrinth. When amphetamine is administered simultaneously with guanethidine, the density of the synaptic bars is similar to those of untreated frogs. p-Chloramphetamine has no significant effect upon the electron density of synaptic bars. These observations are discussed in the light of what is known of the biological effects of these drugs, and are taken to indicate that the synaptic bars could be intracellular storage sites for a monoamine that mediates the synaptic contacts between the sensory cells and afferent nerve fibres. It is suggested that the monoamine involved is a catecholamine.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akert, K., Sandri, C.: Identification of the active synaptic region by means of histochemical and freeze-etching techniques. In: Excitatory synaptic mechanisms, p. 27–42, ed. by P. Anderson and J. K. S. Jansen. Oslo-Bergen-Tromsö: Universitetsforlaget 1970.
Charlton, B.T., Gray, E. G.: Comparative electron microscopy of synapses in the vertebrate spinal cord. J. Cell Sci. 1, 67–80 (1966).
Costa, E.: Interaction of guanethidine and bretylium with adrenergic neurons. In: Mechanism of release of biogenic amines. Wenner-Gren Center Internat. Symposium, Vol. 5, p. 291–305, ed. by U. S. von Euler, S. Rosell and B. Uvnäs. London and New York: Pergamon Press 1966.
Curtis, D. J., Kerkut, G. A.: The effect of reserpine on the vesicle content of Helix aspersa cerebral ganglia. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 30, 835–840 (1969).
Dahlström, A., Fuxe, K., Hillarp, N. A.: The site of action of reserpine. Acta pharmacol. (Kbh.) 22, 277–292 (1968).
Derbin, C.: Effets de la section du nerf lateral sur le jonctions sensorineurales des ampoules de Lorenzini de la torpille, Torpedo marmorata. J. Micr. 9, 119–126 (1970).
Dohlman, G. F.: Discussion in: Myotactic, kinesthetic and vestibular mechanisms. Ciba Foundation Symposium, p. 134, ed. by A. V. S. de Reuck and J. Knight. London: Churchill 1967.
Engström, H.: On the double innervation of the inner ear. Acta oto-laryng. (Stockh.) 49, 109–118 (1958).
Fahlén, G.: The functional morphology of the gas bladder of the genus Salmo. Acta anat. (Basel) 78, 161–184 (1971).
Frey, H. H., Magnusson, M. P.: Different central medication of the stimulent affects of amphetamine and its p-chloroanalogue. Biochem. Pharmacol. 17, 1299–1307 (1968).
Frontali, N.: Histochemical localization of catecholamines in the brain of normal and drug treated cockroaches. J. Insect Physiol. 14, 881–886 (1968).
Furst, C. I.: The biochemistry of guanethidine. Adv. Drug Res. 4, 133–161 (1967).
Guth, P. S., Amaro, J.: A possible cholinergic link in olivo-cochlear inhibition. Int. J. Neuropharmacol. 8, 49–53 (1969).
Iurato, S., Luciano, L., Pannese, E., Reale, E.: Histochemical localization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the inner ear. Acta oto-laryng. (Stockh.), Suppl. 279, 1–50 (1971).
Ljunggren, J.: Studies on seasonal activity in pigeons with aspects on the role of biogenic monoamines in endocrine organs. Göreborg: Tryckeri 1969.
Lowenstein, O. E.: Functional aspects of vestibular function. In: Myotactic, kinesthetic and vestibular mechanisms. Ciba Foundation Symposium, p. 121–128, ed. by A.V.S. de Reuck and J. Knight. London: Churchill 1967.
Lowenstein, O. E., Osborne, M. P., Thornhill, R. A.: The anatomy and ultrastructure of the labyrinth of the lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis L.). Proc. roy. Soc. B 170, 113–134 (1968).
Manton, I.: The possible significance of some details of flagellar bases in plants. J. roy. micr. Soc. 82, 279–285 (1963).
Mullinger, A. M.: The fine structure of ampullary electric receptors in Amiurus. Proc. roy. Soc. B 160, 345–359 (1964).
Mullinger, A. M.: The organisation of ampullary sense organs in the electric fish, Gymnarchus niloticus. Tissue and Cell 1, 31–52 (1969).
Osborne, M. P.: The fine structure of synapses and tight junctions in the central nervous system of the blowfly larva. J. Insect Physiol. 12, 1503–1512 (1966).
Owman, C., Rüdeberg, C.: Light, fluorescence and electron microscopic studies on the pineal organ of the pike, Esox lucius L. with special reference to 5-hydroxytryptamine. Z. Zellforsch. 107, 522–550 (1970).
Pellegrino de Iraldi, A., De Robertis, E.: Action of reserpine on the sub-microscopic structure of the pineal gland. Experientia (Basel) 17, 122–123 (1961).
Pellegrino de Iraldi, A., De Robertis, E.: Action of reserpine, iproniazid and pyrogallol on nerve endings of the pineal gland. Int. J. Neuropharmacol. 2, 231–239 (1963).
Pletscher, A., Da Prada, M., Burkand, W. P., Bartholini, G., Steimer, F. A., Bruderen, H., Bigler, F.: Aralkylamines with different effects on the metabolism of aromatic monoamines. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 154, 64–72 (1966).
Rossi, G., Buongiovanni, S., Cortesina, G., Voena, G.: The adversive syndrome. Experimental research on the possible pathogenic role of efferent vestibular fibres. Rev. Laryng. (Bordeaux) 85, 365–380 (1964a).
Rossi, G., Voena, G., Buongiovanni, S., Cortesina, G.: Experimental studies on the local effects of acetylcholine, anticholinergic substances and cholinesterase inhibitors on vestibular function. Acta oto-laryng. (Stockh.) 58, 159–174 (1964b).
Russell, I. J.: The role of the lateral-line efferent system in Xenopus laevis. J. exp. Biol. 54, 621–641 (1971a).
Russell, I. J.: The pharmacology of efferent synapses in the lateral-line system of Xenopus laevis. J. exp. Biol. 54, 643–658 (1971b).
Saunders-Bush, E., Sulser, F.: p-Chloramphetamine: in vivo investigations on the mechanism of action of the selective depletion of cerebral serotonin. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 175, 419–426 (1970).
Smith, A. D.: Summing up: some implications of the neuron as a secreting cell. Phil. Trans. B 261, 423–437 (1971).
Smith, C. A., Sjöstrand, F. S.: Structure of nerve endings on the external hair cells of the guinea pig cochlea as studied by serial sections. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 5, 523–556 (1961).
Tamura, T.: Electron microscopical study concerning the effects of guanethidine on the nerve terminals of the dilator muscle in rabbit iris. Acta Soc. opthal. Jap. 73, 130–139 (1969).
Taxi, J.: Ultrastructural data on the cytology and cytochemistry of the autonomic nervous system. Phil. Trans. B 261, 311–312 (1971).
Thornhill, R. A.: The effect of catecholamine precursors and related drugs on the morphology of the synaptic bars in the vestibular epithelia of the frog, Rana temporaria. Comp. gen. Pharmacol., in the press (1972).
Vinnikov, Ya. A.: The ultrastructure and cytochemical basis of the mechanism of function of the sense organ receptors. In: Structure and function of nervous tissue, vol. 2, p. 265–392, ed. by G. H. Bourne. New York: Academic Press (1969).
Wersäll, J., Gleisner, L., Lundquist, P. G.: Ultrastructure of the vestibular end organs. In: Myotactic, kinesthetic and vestibular mechanisms. Ciba Foundation Symposium, p. 105–120, ed. by A. V. S. de Reuck and J. Knight. London: Churchill 1967.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Both of us thank Mrs. J. Birch and Miss J. Sutcliffe for their technical assistence. One of us (M. P. O.) was supported by a U.S. National Research Council Senior Research Associateship (1967–1968) during the earlier phase of this work, and we are both indebted to the Italian Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche for a grant (No. 69.01697.119.3) which financed the latter stages of this study.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Osborne, M.P., Thornhill, R.A. The effect of monoamine depleting drugs upon the synaptic bars in the inner ear of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). Z.Zellforsch 127, 347–355 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306878
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306878