ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Synaptic ribbon
;
Pinealocyte
;
Ovariectomy
;
Estradiol
;
Rhesus monkey
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Pinealocytes of rhesus monkeys that had been ovariectomized and given intramuscular injections of 250 μg estradiol-benzoate for 3 consecutive days tended to have more synaptic ribbons (SR) and exhibited a significantly greater size of ribbon fields (RF) compared to untreated animals. These data are consistent with hypotheses that pinealocyte function in primates is altered by hormonal imbalances and that the SR participates in this response. RF were positioned in various parts of the cytoplasm and along the plasma membrane. Participation of SR in direct cell-to-cell contacts was suggested by the formation of densities along the plasma membrane. It is postulated that large RF serve as storage organelles and that the formation of RF results from division of pre-existing SR in each field. Reconstructions made from serial thin sections revealed that profiles of RF comprised separate SR that were not folded and sectioned along various planes.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00251051
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