Localizing tritiated norepinephrine in sympathetic axons by electron microscopic autoradiography

Following intravenous infusion of tritiated norepinephrine, rat pineals were prepared for combined autoradiography and electron microscopy. Concentrations of photographic grains were observed only over regions of preterminal autonomic axons containing granulated vesicles, thereby directly demonstrating uptake of norepinephrine into these axons and strongly suggesting that their granulated vesicles contain norepinephrine.

CIRCADIAN RHYTHM IN PINEAL SEROTONIN: EFFECT OF MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITION AND RESERPINE

The pineal gland of the rat shows a circadian rhythm in its serotonin content, the amount of serotonin decreasing at night. This decrease can be prevented by inhibiting the action of monoamine oxidase. Reserpine abolishes the circadian rhythm in pineal serotonin in the same manner as does interruption of the sympathetic nervous connections of the central nervous system and the pineal gland. These observations suggest that circadian changes in release and binding of serotonin may occur in the pineal gland, and that a central mechanism in which monoamines participate may control the circadian pineal-serotonin rhythm.

FINE STRUCTURE OF THE PINEAL ORGANS OF THE ADULT FROG, RANA PIPIENS

Frontal organs and epiphyses of the pineal system from the adult frog, Rana pipiens, were fixed in s-collidine-buffered osmium tetroxide, embedded in Epon 812, and examined by electron microscopy. Epiphyseal material was also fixed in a variety of ways and subjected to a series of cytochemical tests for light microscopy. An ultrastructure resembling that of lateral eye retina is confirmed in this species. Photoreceptor cells of the epiphysis and frontal organ display many cytological features similar to those of retinal rods and cones in the arrangement of their outer and inner segments and synaptic components. However, in these pineal organs the outer segments are disoriented relative to each other and may display a disarranged internal organization unlike normal retinal photoreceptors. Furthermore, other pineal outer segments often appear degenerate. Since immature stages in the development of new outer segments also appear to be present, adult pineal photoreceptors are probably engaged in a constant renewal of outer segment membranes. The evidence further suggests that macrophages are involved in phagocytosis of degenerated outer segments. Postulated photoreceptor activities and the possibility of secondary pineal functions, such as secretion, are discussed in view of current morphological and cytochemical findings.