Summary
By use of the “formaldehyde induced fluorescence” extramedullary chromaffin cells are demonstrated in the mediastinum and retroperitoneum of rats and guinea-pigs. Furthermore their vascularisation is studied by means of Indian ink-gelatin injections. It can be shown that the groups of these cells (1) have a rich vascularisation and (2) that single cells lie close to capillaries. Only occasionally adrenergic terminals are seen to supply these cells. Our findings are discussed in view of an endocrine or a storage function of these cells for catecholamines.
Zusammenfassung
Zur Darstellung der extramedullären chromaffinen Zellen (e. chr. Z.) im Mediastinum und Retroperitoneum von Ratten und Meerschweinchen wurde die „formaldehyde induced fluorescence“ verwendet. Außerdem wurden die diese Zellen versorgenden Gefäße mit Tusche-Gelatine sichtbar gemacht. Die e. chr. Zellgruppen sind reich kapillarisiert, die Zellen liegen den Gefäßen eng an. Die Versorgung der e. chr. Z. mit adrenergen Nerven ist spärlich. Diese Befunde sprechen für eine endokrine Funktion der Zellen oder für eine Katecholaminspeicherung.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literatur
Björklund, A., B. Ehinger, and B. Falck: A method for differentiating dopamine from noradrenaline in tissue sections by microspectrofluorometry. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 16, 263–270 (1968).
Brundin, T., B. Hamberger, and K.-A. Norberg: Postnatal changes in the praeaortal paraganglia of rabbits. Acta physiol. scand. 66, 255–256 (1966).
Corrodi, H., and G. Jonsson: The formaldehyde fluorescence method for the histochemical demonstration of biogenic monoamines. A review on the methodology. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 15, 65–78 (1967).
Eccles, R. M., and B. Libet: Origin and blockade of synaptic responses of curarized sympathetic ganglia. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 157, 484–503 (1961).
Ehinger, B., B. Falck, H. Persson, and B. Sporrong: Adrenergic and cholinesterase-containing neurons of the heart. Histochemie 16, 197–205 (1968).
Eränkö, O., and M. Härkönen: Monoamine-containing small cells in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat and an organ composed of them. Acta physiol. scand. 63, 511–512 (1965).
Falck, B., J. Häggendal, and Ch. Owman: The localisation of adrenaline in adrenergic nerves in the frog. Quart. J. exp. Physiol. 48, 253–257 (1963).
—, N.-A. Hillarp, G. Thieme, and A. Thorp: Fluorescence of catecholamines and related compounds condensed with formaldehyde. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 10, 348–354 (1962).
Friedman, W. F., P. E. Pool, D. Jacobowitz, S. C. Seagren, and E. Braunwald: Sympathetic innervation of the developing rabbit heart. Circulat. Res. 23, 25–32 (1968).
Hamberger, B., K.-A. Norberg, and F. Sjöquist: Evidence for adrenergic nerve terminals, and synapses in sympathetic ganglia. Int. J. Neuropharmacol. 2, 279–282 (1963).
Heene, R.: Histochemischer Nachweis von Katecholaminen und 5-Hydroxytryptamin am Kryostatschnitt. Histochemie 14, 324–327 (1968).
Iwanow, G.: Das chromaffine und interrenale System des Menschen. Ergebn. Anat. Entw.-Gesch. 29, 87–280 (1932).
Jacobowitz, D.: Histochemical studies of the relationship of chromaffin cells and adrenergic nerve fibers to the cardiac ganglia of several species. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 158, 227–240 (1967).
—, and J. K. Woodward: Adrenergic neurons in the cat superior cervical ganglion and sympathetic nerve trunk. A histochemical study. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 162, 213–226 (1968).
Kohn, A.: Die Paraganglien. Arch. mikr. Anat. 62, 263–365 (1903).
Muscholl, E., and M. Vogt: Secretory responses of extramedullary chromaffin tissue. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 22, 193–203 (1964).
Norberg, K.-A., M. Ritzen, and U. Ungerstedt: Histochemical studies on a special catecholamine-containing celltype in sympathetic ganglia. Acta physiol. scand. 67, 260–270 (1966).
Owman, Ch., and N. O. Sjöstrand: Short adrenergic neurons and catecholamine-containing cells in vas deferens and accessory male genital glands of different mammals. Z. Zellforsch. 66, 300–320 (1965).
Winckler, J.: Über eine Kombination des AChE-Nachweises nach Karnowsky mit der PAS-Reaktion zur Darstellung peripherer Nerven. Histochemie 16, 372–375 (1968).
Zuckerkandl, E.: Über Nebenorgane des Sympathicus im Retroperitonealraum des Menschen. Anat. Anz. 19, Erg.-H., 95–107 (1901).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Winckler, J. Zur Lage und Funktion der extramedullären chromaffinen Zellen. Z. Zellforsch. 96, 490–494 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335221
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335221