Skip to main content
Log in

Electron microscopic evidence of glycogen storage in the dark pinealocytes of the rabbit pineal gland

  • Published:
Journal of Neural Transmission Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Electron microscopic evidence is given that the small dark granules in the rabbit dark pinealocytes represent glycogen. The conception is put forward that this glycogen, synthesized at the membranes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, is taken up by lysosomes to participate then in the conversion of the lysosomes into pigment bodies.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bostelmann, W.: Beiträge zur submikroskopischen Zytologie der Epiphysis cerebri und zur experimentellen Beeinflussung ihrer Zellelemente. Zentralbl. Allg. Pathol.107, 430–440 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Coimbra, A.: Evaluation of the glycogenolytic effect ofα-amylase using radioautography and electron microscopy. J. Histochem. Cytochem.14, No. 12, 898–906 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gusek, W., Santoro, A.: Zur Ultrastruktur der Epiphysis cerebri der Ratte. Endokrinologie Bd. 41, Heft 3/4, 105–129 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hülsemann, M.: Development of the innervation in the human pineal organ. Light and electron microscopic investigations. Z. Zellforsch.115, 396 to 415 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kachi, T., Matsushima, S., Ito, T.: Postnatal observations on the diurnal rhythm and the light-responsiveness in the pineal glycogen content in mice. Anat. Rec.183, No. 1, 39–46 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikami, S.: Cytological and histochemical studies of the pineal bodies of domestic animals. Tok. J. Agricult. Res.2, 41–48 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Orci, L., Stauffacher, W.: Glycogenosomes in renal tubular cells of diabetic animals. J. Ultrastruct. Res.36, 499–503 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pevet, P., Ariëns Kappers, J., Neva Eviatar: The pineal gland of the molerat (Spalax ehrenbergi, Nehring). I. The fine structure of pinealocytes. Cell Tissue Res. In press (1976).

  • Pevet, P., Ariëns Kappers, J., Voûte, A. M.: The pineal gland of nocturnal mammals. I. The pinealocytes of the batNyctalus noctula, Schreber. J. Neural Trans. In press (1977).

  • Phillips, M. J., Unakar, N. J., Doornewaard, G., Steiner, J. W.: Glycogen depletion in the newborn rat liver. An electron microscopic and electron histochemical study. J. Ultrastruct. Res.18, 142–165 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay, W. B.: Cytochemistry of pineal lipids in rat and man. J. Histochem. Cytochem.5, 145–153 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay, W. B.: Pineal chemistry, in cellular and physiological mechanisms. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C Thomas. 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romijn, H. J.: Structure and innervation of the pineal gland of the rabbit,Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.). II. An electron microscopic investigation of the pinealocytes. Z. Zellforsch.141, 545–560 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  • Strassmann, G. S.: Iron deposits in the body and their pathologic significance. A review. Am. J. Clin. Pathol.24, 453–471 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiéry, J.-P.: Mise en évidence des polysaccharides sur coupes fines en microscope électronique. J. Microscopie6, 987–1018 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Vrensen, G. F. J. M., Kuyper, Ch. M. A.: Involvement of rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes in early stages of glycogen repletion in rat liver. J. Microscopie8, 599–614 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wartenberg, H., Gusek, W.: Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Beobachtungen über die Struktur der Epiphysis cerebri des Kaninchens. Progr. Brain Res.10, 296–313 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wislocki, G. B., Dempsey, E. W.: The chemical histology and cytology of the pineal body and neurohypophysis. Endocrinology42, 56–72 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Romijn, H.J., Mud, M.T. & Wolters, P.S. Electron microscopic evidence of glycogen storage in the dark pinealocytes of the rabbit pineal gland. J. Neural Transmission 40, 69–79 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01250281

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01250281

Key words

Navigation