Summary
Extensive secretion by exocytosis was demonstrated in the glomus (type I) cells of the adult rat after perfusion of carotid bodies with a potassium-rich (high K) glutaraldehyde fixative. Similar secretory profiles were very rare with a glutaraldehyde fixative containing a low concentration of potassium (low K). The increase in the incidence of exocytotic profiles in glomus cells with the high K fixative was highly significant, whereas no statistical difference could be observed in the incidence of coated pits with the different fixatives.
Exocytotic profiles were characterized by the following features: (1) they predominated in non-synaptic regions, but were occasionally observed near synapses between two glomus cells; they were not observed near synapses between glomus cells and nerve terminals; (2) extruded electron-dense material associated with coating of the cell membrane was frequent; (3) different stages of dissolution of the extruded granule material was evident.
The possible role of exocytosis as a mode of secretion in the glomus cells and the characteristics of the new high K-glutaraldehyde fixative are discussed.
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Grönblad, M. Improved demonstration of exocytotic profiles in glomus cells of rat carotid body after perfusion with glutaraldehyde fixative containing a high concentration of potassium. Cell Tissue Res. 229, 627–637 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00207702
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00207702