ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Pinealocyte
;
Light exposure
;
Ultrastructure
;
Rat (Wistar)
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Although it is generally known that light strongly influences N-acetyltransferase activity and melatonin production in the pineal gland, little information is available concerning morphological changes following light exposure. As exposure of rats to a short light pulse at night rapidly depresses melatonin synthesis, we decided to determine whether this experimental condition produces rapid changes in the pinealocyte organelles. A 30-min light pulse at night (six hours after lights out) provoked rapid changes in the relative volumes of some pinealocyte organelles. The volume fractions of mitochondria, Golgi apparatus and lipid droplets, and the numbers of dense-core vesicles and “synaptic” ribbons decreased, whereas the volume fraction of lysosomes increased. There were no differences in the volumes of granular endoplasmic reticulum and vacuoles containing flocculent material in those animals exposed to light compared with control animals. These results indicate that a short light pulse at night causes ultrastructural changes that can be interpreted as morphological features of diminished activity of pinealocytes.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00220041
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