Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Calcium concretions in the pineal gland of aged rats: an ultrastructural and microanalytical study of their biogenesis

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The genesis of calcium concretions in aged rats was studied by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The potassium pyroantimonate method, combined with X-ray microanalysis, allowed us to study the distribution of cations and calcium. Notable accumulations of calcium (associated with phosphorus) were localized in vesicles, vacuoles, lipid droplets, lipopigments, and mitochondria of dark pinealocytes. The results obtained in the present investigation suggest that these organelles are involved in the genesis of the concretions. The presence of sulfur indicates the existence of an organic matrix. We propose that genesis takes place in dark pinealocytes, which contain more calcium than light pinealocytes. Mineralization foci are some-times associated with cellular debris and enlarge by further apposition of material. Two types of concretions, as determined by electron microscopy and confirmed by electron diffraction, could be observed: the “amorphous” type with concentric layers and the crystalline type with needle-shaped crystals. Once formed, the concretions reach the extracellular space and the cell breaks down. Possible extracellular calcification is suggested in the extracellular calcium-rich floculent material. The mineralization process is interpreted as being an age-related phenomenon and mainly a consequence of the degeneration of pinealocytes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bargmann W (1943) Die Epiphysis cerebri. In: Möllendorff W von (ed) Handbuch der mikroskopischen Anatomie des Menschen, Bd VI/1, Springer, Berlin, pp 309–502

    Google Scholar 

  • Boivin G (1975) Etude chez le rat d'une calcinose cutanée induite par calciphylaxie locale. I. Aspects ultrastructuraux. Arch Anat Microsc Morphol Exp 64:183–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Boskey AL, Posner AS (1976) Extraction of calcium phospholipid complex from bone. Calcif Tissue Int 19:273–283

    Google Scholar 

  • Champney TH, Joshi BN, Vaughan MK, Reiter RJ (1985) Superior cervical ganglionectomy results in the loss of pineal concretions in the adult male gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Anat Rec 211:465–468

    Google Scholar 

  • Daramola GF, Oloru AO (1972) Physiological and radiological implications of low incidence of pineal calcification in Nigeria. Neuroendocrinology 9:41–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Diehl BJM (1978) Occurrence and regional distribution of calcareous concretions in the rat pineal gland. Cell Tissue Res 195:359–366

    Google Scholar 

  • Eanes ED (1972) X-ray diffraction of vertebrate hard tissue. In: Zipkin I (ed) Biological mineralization. Wiley, New York, pp 227–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenmann DR, Ashrafi S, Neiman A (1979) Calcium transport of the secretory ameloblast. Anat Rec 193:403–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Ennever J, Vogel JJ, Boyan-Salyers B, Riggau LJ (1979) Characterization of calcium matrix calcification nucleator. J Dent Res 58:619–623

    Google Scholar 

  • Erdinç F (1977) Concrement formation encountered in the rat pineal gland. Experientia 33, 514

    Google Scholar 

  • Glimcher MJ (1959) Molecular biology of mineralized tissues with particular reference to bone. Rev Mod Phys 31:359–393

    Google Scholar 

  • Glimcher MJ (1981) On the form and function of bone: from molecules to organs. Wolff's law. In: Veis A (ed) The chemistry and biology of mineralized connective tissues. Elsevier, New York, pp 617–673

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg M, Lecolle S, Ruch JV, Staubli A, Septier D (1988) Lipid detection by malachite green-aldehyde in the dental basement membrane in the rat incisor. Cell Tissue Res 253:685–687

    Google Scholar 

  • Heidel GV (1965) Die Häufigkeit des Vorkommens von Kalkkon-krementen im Corpus pineale des Kindes. Anat Anz 196:139–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinzeller T (1985) Impact of psychological stress on pineal structure of male gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus, Cricetidae). J Pineal Res 2:145–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Houben JL (1971) Free radicals produced by ionizing radiation in bone and its constituents. Int J Radiat Biol 20:373–389

    Google Scholar 

  • Humbert W (1978) Cytochemistry and X-ray microprobe analysis of the midgut of Tomocerus minor Lubbock (Insecta, Collembola) with special reference to the physiological significance of the mineral concretions. Cell Tissue Res 187:397–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Humbert W, Pévet P (1991) Calcium content and concretions of pineal glands of young and old rats. A scanning and X-ray microanalytical study. Cell Tissue Res 263:593–596

    Google Scholar 

  • Humbert W, Pévet P (1992) Permeability of the pineal gland of the rat to lanthanum: significance of dark pinealocytes. J Pineal Res 12:84–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Humbert W, Voegel JC, Kirsch R, Simonneaux V (1989) Role of intestinal mucus in crystal biogenesis: an electron-microscopical diffraction and X-ray microanalytical study. Cell Tissue Res 255:575–583

    Google Scholar 

  • Irving JT, Wuthier RE (1968) Histochemistry and biochemistry of calcification with special reference to the role of lipids. Clin Orthop 56:237–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Japha JL, Eder TJ, Goldsmith ED (1976) Calcified inclusions in the superficial pineal gland of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguicutatus. Acta Anat 94:533–544

    Google Scholar 

  • Jehl B, Bauer R, Dörge A, Rick R (1981) The use of propane isopentane mixtures for rapid freezing of biological specimens. J Microsc 123:307–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Johannessen JV, Sobrinho-Simoes M (1980) The origin and significance of thyroid psammoma bodies. Lab Invest 43:287–296

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim KM (1976) Calcification of matrix vesicles in human aortic valve and aortic media. Fed Proc 35:156–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Krstić R (1985) Ultracytochemical localization of calcium in the superficial pineal gland of the Mongolian gerbil. J Pineal Res 2:21–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Krstić R (1986) Pineal calcification: its mechanism and significance. J Neural Transm [Suppl] 21:415–432

    Google Scholar 

  • Krstić R, Golaz J (1972) Ultrastructural and X-ray microprobe comparison of gerbil and human pineal acervuli. Experientia 33:507–508

    Google Scholar 

  • Landis WJ, Paine MC, Glimcher MJ (1977) Electron microscopic observations of bone tissue prepared anhydrously in organic solvents. J Ultrastruct Res 59:1–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehninger AL (1970) Mitochondria and calcium ion transport. Biochem J 119:129–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Lukaszyk A, Reiter RJ (1975) Histophysiological evidence for the secretion of polypeptides by the pineal gland. Am J Anat 143:451–464

    Google Scholar 

  • Mabie CP, Wallace BM (1974) Optical, physical and chemical properties of pineal gland calcifications. Calcif Tissue Res 16:59–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Mentré P, Halpern S (1988) Localization of cations by pyroantimonate. II. Electron probe microanalysis of calcium and sodium in skeletal muscle of mouse. J Histochem Cytochem 36:55–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Michotte Y, Loewenthal A, Knaepen L, Collared M, Massard DL (1977) A morphological and chemical study of calcification of the pineal gland. J Neurol 215:209–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Møller M, Gierris F, Hanen JH, Johnson E (1979) Calcification in a pineal tumor studied by transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction and X-ray microanalysis. Acta Neurol Scand 59:178–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson WAP (1974) Experience of diffractive and non diffractive analysis in the Cameca microprobe. In: Hall TA, Echlin P (eds) Microprobe analysis of cells and tissues. Academic Press, London, pp 239–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner AS (1969) Crystal chemistry of bone mineral. Physiol Rev 49:760–792

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay WB (1974) Pineal chemistry. Thomas, Springfield, pp 54–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiter RJ, Welsh MG, Vaughan MK (1976) Age related changes in the intact and sympathetically denervated gerbil pineal gland. Am J Anat 146:427–432

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro IM (1973) The lipids of skeletal and dental tissues: their role in mineralization. In: Zipkin I (ed) Biological mineralization. Wiley, New York, pp 117–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Simkiss K (1976) Intracellular and extracellular routes in biomineralization. Symp Soc Exp Biol 30:423–444

    Google Scholar 

  • Somlyo AP (1984) Cellular sites of calcium regulation. Nature 309:516–517

    Google Scholar 

  • Termine JD, Posner AS (1967) Amorphous/crystalline interrelationships in bone mineral. Calcif Tissue Res 1:8–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Trentini GP, De Gaetani CF, Pierini G, Criscuolo M, Vidyasagar RI, Fabbri F (1986) Some aspects of human pineal pathology. In: Reiter RJ, Karasek M (eds) Advances of pineal research. Libbey, Paris, pp 219–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Vigh B, Vigh-Teichmann I (1992) Two components of the pineal organ of the mink (Mustela vison); their structural similarity to submammalian pineal complexes and calcification. Arch Histol Cytol 55:447–489

    Google Scholar 

  • Vigh B, Vigh-Teichmann I, Heinzeller T, Tutter I (1989) Meningeal calcification of the rat pineal organ. Fine structural localization of calcium ions. Histochemistry 91:161–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Voegel JC, Frank RM (1974) Diffraction électronique monocristalline de l'émail humain sain et carié. J Biol Buccale 2:153–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollrath L (1981) The pineal organ. In: Oksche A, Vollrath L (eds) Handbuch der mikroskopischen Anatomie des Menschen. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 1–665

    Google Scholar 

  • Walzer C, Boivin G, Schönbörner AA, Baud CA (1980) Ultrastructural and cytochemical aspects of the initial phases of an experimental cutaneous calcinosis (calcergy) in the rat. Cell Tissue Res 212:185–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Welsh MG (1984) Cytochemical analysis of calcium distribution in the superficial pineal gland of the Mongolian gerbil. J Pineal Res 1:305–316

    Google Scholar 

  • Welsh MG (1985) Pineal calcification: structural and functional aspects. Pineal Res Rev 3:41–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Welsh MG, Reiter RJ (1978) The pineal gland of the gerbil Meriones unguiculatus. I. An ultrastructural study. Cell Tissue Res 193:323–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Wildi E, Frauchiger E (1965) Modifications histologiques de l'épiphyse humaine pendant l'enfance, l'age adulte et le vieillissement. Prog Brain Res 10:218–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Wuthier RE (1968) Lipids of mineralizing epiphyseal tissues in the bovine fetus. J Lipid Res 9:68–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Wuthier RE (1982) A review of the primary mechanism of endochondrial calcification with special emphasis on the role of cells, mitochondria and matrix vesicles. Clin Orthop 169:219–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Yajima T, Kumegawa M, Hiramatsu M (1984) Ectopic mineralization in fibroblast cultures. Arch Histol Jpn 47:43–55

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CNRS URA 1332, Neurobiologie des Fonctions Rythmiques et Saisonnières, Université Louis Pasteur, 12 Rue de l'Université, F-67000, Strasbourg, France

    Willy Humbert & Paul Pévet

Authors
  1. Willy Humbert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul Pévet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Humbert, W., Pévet, P. Calcium concretions in the pineal gland of aged rats: an ultrastructural and microanalytical study of their biogenesis. Cell Tissue Res 279, 565–573 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00318168

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00318168

Key words

Search

Navigation