ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Adenohypophysis
;
Myxine glutinosa
;
Cell types
;
Ultrastructure
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The ultrastructure of adenohypophysial cells in the Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) is described and the morphological evidence for secretory activity is discussed. A scarcity of secretory granules is characteristic of the adenohypophysis of Myxine. Two cell types having the appearance of protein hormone producing cells can be identified. Type 1 has dense membrane-bound granules with a calculated mean diameter of 88 nm while type 2 has larger granules with a mean diameter of 176 nm. The release of secretory granular material follows mainly the “membrane-release” pattern. It is suggested that cell type 1 may produce a hormone which is similar to ACTH/MSH and type 2 another hormone similar to STH/LTH. The basophilic cells contain a secretory material which is similar to the mucus produced in the epithelial mucus cells. Several structural modifications are considered to represent functional compensations for the absence of vascular elements in the gland. Among these are a cytoplasmic tubular system, certain long agranular cells together with long granule-containing projections from cell types 1 and 2, and foliate or finger-like invaginations of the basal lamina.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00306636
Permalink
