Summary
The subcommissural organ (SCO) of the snake Natrix maura was studied by use of the immunoperoxidase procedure. Primary antisera against bovine neurophysins (Nps I + II, OXY-Np), oxytocin (OXY), mesotocin (MST), arginine-vasotocin (AVT), somatostatin (SOM), β-endorphin (END) and bovine Reissner's fiber were used. A conventional ultrastructural study, with special emphasis on the nerve fibers present in the SCO, was also performed. Nerve fibers containing immunoreactive OXY-Np and MST were seen to reach the SCO. The staining of adjacent sections with the anti-Reissner's fiber serum showed that the OXY-Np- and MST-immunoreactive fibers were distributed among the cell bodies and processes of the ependymal secretory cells. No fibers containing immunoreactive OXY, AVT, SOM or END were found in the SCO. The ultrastructural analysis revealed in the SCO the presence of nerve fibers filled with electron-dense granules, 170–210 nm in diameter. Although a direct apposition between these fibers and the SCO cells was frequently seen, no synaptic differentiations were identified. Structures identical to the Herring bodies (found in the neurohypophysis) were seen in the SCO.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Acher R (1986) The non mammalian-mammalian transition through neurohypophysial peptides. Peptides 6:309–314
Acher R, Chauret J, Chauret MT (1969) The neurohypophyseal hormones of reptiles: comparison of the viper, cobra, and elaphe active principles. Gen Comp Endocrinol 13:357–360
Altner H (1968) Untersuchungen an Ependym und Ependymorganen im Zwischenhirn niederer Wirbeltiere (Neoceratodus, Urodelen, Anuren). Z Zellforsch 84:102–140
Arnold W (1968) Über das diencephal-telencephale neurosekretorische System beim Salamander (Salamandra salamandra und S. tigrinum). Z Zellforsch 89:371–409
Breslow E (1984) Neurophysin: Biology and chemistry of its interactions. In: Cantin M (ed) Cell Biology of the Secretory Process, Karger, Basel, pp 276–308
Buijs RM, Pévet P (1980) Vasopressin- and oxytocin-containing fibres in the pineal gland and subcommissural organ of the rat. Cell Tissue Res 205:11–17
Castell M, Gainer H, Dellmann HD (1984) Neuronal secretory systems. Int Rev Cytol 88:303–495
Dellmann HD, Rodríguez EM (1970) Herring bodies: an electron microscopic study of local degeneration and regeneration of neurosecretory axons. Z Zellforsch 111:293–315
Didier M, Harandi M, Aguera M, Bancel B, Tardy M, Fages C, Calas A, Staagard M, Møllgård K, Belin MF (1986) Differential immunocytochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein, S-100 protein and glutamine synthetase in the rat subcommissural organ, nonspecialized ventricular ependyma and adjacent neuropil. Cell Tissue Res 245:343–351
Dogterom J, Snijdewint FGM, Pévet P, Buijs RM (1979) On the presence of neuropeptides in the mammalian pineal gland and subcommissural organ. Prog Brain Res 52:465–469
Gamrani H, Belin MF, Aguera M, Calas A, Pujol FJ (1981) Radioautographic evidence for an innervation of the subcommissural organ by GABA-containing nerve fibres. J Neurocytol 10:411–424
Isomaki AM, Kivalo E, Talanti S (1965) Electron microscopic structure the subcommissural organ in the calf (Bos taurus) with special reference to secretory phenomena. Ann Acad Sci Fenn 46:293–294
Kizer JS, Palkovits M, Brownstein J (1976) Releasing factors in the circumventricular organs of the rat brain. Endocrinology 98:311–317
Köhl N (1975) Enzymatic organization of the subcommissural organ. Histochem Cytochem 7:1–50
Legait H, Legait E (1956) A propos de la structure et de l'innervation des organes épendymaires du troisième ventricle chez les Batraciens et les Reptiles. CR Soc Biol (Paris) 150:1982–1984
Léger L, Degueurce A, Lundberg JJ, Pujol JF, Møllgård K (1983) Origin and influence of the serotoninergic innervation of the subcommissural organ in the rat. Neuroscience 10:411–423
Leonhardt H (1980) Ependym und Circumventriculäre Organe. In: Oksche A, Vollrath L (eds) Neuroglia I. Handbuch der mikroskopischen Anatomie des Menschen, Band IV, 10. Teil. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 177–766
Lösecke W, Naumann W, Sterba G (1984) Preparation and discharge of secretion in the subcommissural organ of the rat. Cell Tissue Res 235:201–206
Lösecke W, Naumann W, Sterba G (1986) Immuno-electron-microscopical analysis of the basal route of secretion in the subcommissural organ of the rabbit. Cell Tissue Res 244:449–456
Møllgård K, Wiklund L (1979) Serotoninergic synapses on ependymal and hypendymal cells of the rat subcommissural organ. J Neurocytol 8:445–467
Murakami M, Okita S, Nagano Y (1970) Electron microscopic observation of the subcommissural organ in the soft-shelled turtle Amyda japonica. Arch Histol Jpn 31:199–208
Oksche A (1969) The subcommissural organ. J Neurovisc Rel 9:111–139
Pelletier G, Leclerc D, Dube F, Labrie F, Puviani R, Arimura A, Schally AV (1975) Localization of growth hormone-releasing-inhibiting hormone (somatostatin) in the rat brain. Am J Anat 142:397–400
Pickering BT (1967) The neurohypophysial hormones of a reptile species, the cobra (Naja naja). J Endocrinol 39:285–294
Rechardt L, Leonieni J (1972) Activities of specific and no specific cholinesterases in the subcommissural organ of guinea pig and albino rat in light and electron microscopic observations. Histochemie 30:115–121
Rodríguez EM (1970) Ependymal specializations III. Ultrastructural aspects of the basal secretion of the toad subcommissural organ. Z Zellforsch 111:32–50
Rodríguez EM (1984) Design and perspectives of peptide secreting neurons. In: Nemeroff CD, Dunn AJ (eds) Peptides, Hormones and Behaviour. Spectrum, New York, pp 1–35
Rodríguez EM, Oksche A, Hein S, Rodríguez S, Yulis R (1984a) Comparative immunocytochemical study of the subcommissural organ. Cell Tissue Res 237:427–441
Rodríguez EM, Oksche A, Hein S, Rodríguez S, Yulis R (1984b) Spatial and structural interrelationships between secretory cells of the subcommissural organ and blood vessels. An immunocytochemical study. Cell Tissue Res 237:443–449
Rodríguez EM, Oksche A, Rodríguez S, Hein S, Peruzzo B, Schoebitz K, Herrera H (1987) The subcommissural organ-Reissner's fiber unit. In: Gross P (ed) Circumventricular Organs and Fluid Balance. CRC Press, New York (in press)
Rosenbloom AA, Fisher DA (1975) Arginine vasotocin in the rabbit subcommissural organ. Endocrinology 96:1038–1039
Sawyer WH, Deyrup-Olsen I, Martin AW (1984) Immunological and biological characteristics of the vasotocin-like activity in the head ganglia of gastropod molluscs. Gen Comp Endocrinol 54:97–108
Scharrer E (1951) Neurosecretion. A relationship between the paraphysis and the paraventricular nucleus in the garter snake (Thaamnophis sp). Bull Biol 101:106–113
Silverman AJ, Zimmerman EA (1983) Magnocellular neurosecretory system. Ann Rev Neurosci 6:357–380
Sofroniew MV (1983) Vasopressin and oxytocin in the mammalian brain and spinal cord. Trends Neurosci 6:467–472
Sterba G, Hoheisel G, Wegelin R, Naumann W, Schober F (1979) Peptide containing vesicles within neuro-neuronal synapses. Brain Res 169:55–64
Sterba G, Kleim I, Naumann W, Petter H (1981) Immunocytochemical investigation of the subcommissural organ in the rat. Cell Tissue Res 218:659–662
Sternberger LA, Hardy PH Jr, Cuculis JJ, Meyer HG (1970) The unlabeled antibody enzyme method of immunohistochemistry: Preparation and properties of soluble antigen-antibody complex (horseradish peroxidase-antiperoxidase) and its use in identification of spirochetes. J Histochem Cytochem 18:315–333
Vigh-Teichmann I, Vigh B (1979) Comparison of epithalamic, hypothalamic and spinal neurosecretory terminals. Acta Biol Acad Sci Hungar 30:1–39
Wake K, Ueck M, Oksche A (1974) Acetylcholinesterase-containing nerve cells in the pineal complex and subcommissural area of the frogs Rana ridibunda and Rana esculenta. Cell Tissue Res 154:423–442
Weindl A, Sofroniew MV (1981) Relation of neuropeptides to mammalian circumventricular organs. In: Martin JB, Reichlin S, Bick KL (eds) Neurosecretion and Brain Peptides. Raven Press New York, pp 303–320
Weindl A, Sofroniew MV (1982) Peptide neurohormones and circumventricular organs in the pigeon. In: Frontiers of Hormone Research, vol 9: Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) and Peptide Hormones. EM Rodriguez, Fj B Wimersma Greidanus (eds). Karger, Basel München Paris London New York Sydney, pp 88–104
Wiklund L, Møllgård K (1979) Neurotoxin destruction of the serotoninergic innervation of the rat subcommissural organ is followed by reinnervation through collateral sprouting of nonmonoaminergic neurons. J Neurocytol 8:469–480
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was partially supported by Grants 1/38259 from the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk, Federal Republic of Germany, and S-85-39 from the Dirección de Investigaciones, Universidad Austral de Chile, conceded to Esteban M. Rodríguez
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fernández-Llebrez, P., Pérez, J., Cifuentes, M. et al. Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural evidence for a neurophysinergic innervation of the subcommissural organ of the snake Natrix maura . Cell Tissue Res. 248, 473–478 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218215
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218215