Publication: The foetal pig pineal gland is richly innervated by
nerve fibres containing catecholamine-synthesizing
enzymes, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and C-terminal flanking
peptide of NPY, but it does not secrete melatonin
Authors
Bulc, Michał ; Lewczuk, Bogdan ; Prusik, Magdalena ; Całka, Jaroslaw
item.page.secondaryauthor
item.page.director
Publisher
F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología
publication.page.editor
publication.page.department
DOI
item.page.type
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
Innervation of the mammalian pineal gland
during prenatal development is poorly recognized.
Therefore, immunofluorescence studies of the pineals of
70- and 90-day-old foetuses of the domestic pig were
performed using antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase
(TH), dopamine-ß-hydroxylase (DßH), neuropeptide Y
(NPY) and C-terminal flanking peptide of NPY (CPON).
The investigated glands were supplied by numerous
nerve fibres containing TH and DßH. The density of
these fibres was higher in the distal and middle parts of
the gland than in the proximal one. NPY and CPON
were identified in the majority of DßH-positive fibres as
well as in a small population of DßH-negative fibres
localized mainly in the proximal part of the pineal. The
immunoreactive fibres were more numerous in 90-dayold
foetuses than in 70-day-old ones. The effect of
norepinephrine on melatonin secretion by the foetal
pineals in the short-term organ culture was studied to
determine the role of DßH-positive fibres during
prenatal life. For the same purpose melatonin was
measured in the blood in the umbilical cords and in the
jugular vein of the mother. The pineals of both groups of
foetuses did not secrete melatonin in the organ culture,
independently of the presence or absence of
norepinephrine in the medium. Melatonin concentrations
in the blood in the umbilical cords of foetuses from the
same litter and in the jugular vein of their mother were
similar. The presence of adrenergic nerve fibres in the
pig pineal during gestation does not seem to be
associated with the control of melatonin secretion.
publication.page.subject
Citation
Histology and histopathology, Vol. 28, n.º 5 (2013)
item.page.embargo
Ir a Estadísticas
Sin licencia Creative Commons.