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The ultrastructure of pinealocytes in the golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus) with special reference to the granular vesicles

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Summary

The ultrastructure of the pinealocytes of the golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus), a blind subterranean mammal living in complete darkness, was examined and compared with that of pinealocytes of other mammals. On the basis of the presence of granular vesicles and glycogen granules, only one population of pinealocytes was found. Large mitochondria, ribosomes, lipid inclusions and scarce lysosomes were observed in the perikaryon. Numerous glycogen granules, often forming typical accumulations, were frequently found to be associated with typical vacuoles. An extraordinary large number of granular vesicles is characteristic of the golden mole pinealocyte. Phenomena of excretion of compound(s) stored in the granular vesicles were identified. Morphologically this is characterized by dissociation of its granular core in situ while its limiting membrane is preserved. The physiological significance of the secretory process characterized by the formation of these granular vesicles is discussed.

Résumé

Les pinéalocytes de la glande pinéale de la Taupe dorée Amblysomus hottentotus (Mammifère aveugle et vivant toujours dans une obscurité complète) examinés au microscope électronique ont été comparés à ceux d'autres Mammifères. Une seule population de pinealocytes a été observée. Mitochondries, ribosomes, réticulum endoplasmic granulaire, inclusions lipidiques et rares structures lysosomiales sont présents dans le périkaryon. De nombreux grains de glycogène formant le plus souvent de typiques “accumulations” ont été fréquemment observés associés à des vacuoles. Un grand nombre de vésicules granulaires est la caractéristique première des pinéalocytes. Un phénomène d'excrétion, caractérisé par une dissolution in situ du coeur dense, a été observé.

L'importance physiologique de ces vésicules granulaires est discuté.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, Amsterdam

    P. Pevet

  2. Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    P. Pevet

  3. Department of Zoology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Republic of South Africa

    M. A. Kuyper

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  1. P. Pevet
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Pevet, P., Kuyper, M.A. The ultrastructure of pinealocytes in the golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus) with special reference to the granular vesicles. Cell Tissue Res. 191, 39–56 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00223214

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