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The hypothalamo-hypophysial system in Acipenseridae

I. Ultrastructural organization of large neurosecretory terminals (Herring bodies) and axoventricular contacts

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Summary

Herring bodies in the neurohypophysis of sexually mature Acipenseridae (Acipenser güldenstädti Brand, Acipenser stellatus Pallas) were studied light- and electronmicroscopically. The fishes were taken in nature at different periods of their life cycle. Some of them were kept in 17‰, 22‰, and 32‰ NaCl solution for 1–48 hours before fixation.

Herring bodies are large (up to 50 μ) swellings in neurosecretory axons originating in the preoptic nucleus. Most of them are in the terminal portion and are located between the ependymal cells lining the recessus hypophyseus where they protrude into the lumen. Rarely such Herring bodies are situated in the pericapillary space.

Two zones, a central and a peripheral, can be distinguished in the neuroplasm of Herring bodies. Mitochondria, neurotubules, and neurofilaments are concentrated in the inner zone; neurosecretory granules, vacuoles, and various osmiophilic inclusions occupy the peripheral zone. Neurotubules may be thin and cylindrical, or swollen and beaded. Neurosecretory granules are either electron dense elementary granules or swollen with a finely granulated content. Some granules show broken membranes. These different types seem to reflect a process of extrusion of neurohormones into the neuroplasm of the ending. Other types of osmiophilic inclusions include dense bodies, comb-like bodies, and lamellar bodies. Vacuoles vary as to their origin, the structure of their membranes, and their size. Synaptic vesicles and residual neurosecretory granules are never observed in these Herring bodies.

Seven types of Herring bodies can be distinguished ultrastructurally in the Acipenseridae studied. They differ with respect to the presence and relative frequency of the different structural components mentioned. Transitional forms between these types of Herring bodies are found. The plasmalemma of some Herring bodies protruding into the recessus hypophyseus is destroyed. It is suggested that at these sites neurohormones are released by the macroapocrine type of secretion. The functional significance of different inclusions in the Herring bodies of Acipenseridae are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences USSR, Leningrad

    A. L. Polenov & P. E. Garlov

  2. Siberian Branch of the Academy of Sciences USSR, Institute of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Filial, Vladivostok

    A. L. Polenov & P. E. Garlov

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  1. A. L. Polenov
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  2. P. E. Garlov
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We want to express our deep gratitude to Prof. Berta Scharrer for very careful editorial advice. Thanks are due to Mrs. R. V. Polenova who translated the manuscript from Russian into English. We are indebted to V. V. Milstein and V. N. Belyaeva, Ms. Sc. Biol., (Astrakhan, Institute of Sturgeon Industry), and N. E. Peseridi, M. Sc. Biol., (Guriev Filial of the Institute of Sturgeon Industry) who made facilities available at their Institutes and to M. A. Belenky, M. Sc. M. for critical reading of the manuscript.

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Polenov, A.L., Garlov, P.E. The hypothalamo-hypophysial system in Acipenseridae. Z. Zellforsch. 116, 349–374 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00330633

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