Summary
Seven morphologically different types of neurosecretory granules have been found in the axon terminals of the sinus gland of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. They differ from each other in size, shape, staining characteristics, solubility characteristics, core matrix characteristics, axon terminal matrix characteristics, presence or absence of space between the granule membrane and granule core matrix, and frequency of occurrence. Five of the types are segregated in different axon terminals and are believed to represent different hormone-protein complexes. Two of the types, which have lost part or all of their granular contents, are thought to be variants of the other five types. The differences in granular morphology are better revealed by some fixation procedures than others. Palade's acetate-veronal buffered osmium tetroxide, in particular, reveals striking differences. The following observations suggest that different hormone-protein complexes are segregated in different axon terminals and that these complexes may be morphologically distinguished at the level of the electron microscope.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barer, R., Lederis, K.: Ultrastructure of the rabbit neurohypophysis with special reference to the release of hormones. Z. Zellforsch. 75, 201–239 (1966).
Bennett, H. S., Luft, J. H.: S-collidine as a basis for buffering fixatives. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 6, 113–114 (1959).
Bowers, B., Johnson, B.: An electron microscopic study of the corpora cardiaca and secretory neurons in the aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulz.). Gen. comp. Endocr. 6, 213–230 (1966).
Bunt, A. H., Ashby, E. A.: Ultrastructure of the sinus gland of the crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. Gen. comp. Endocr. 9, 334–342 (1967).
Carlisle, D. B.: On the sexual biology of Pandalus borealis. I. Histology of incretory elements. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 38, 381–394 (1959).
Caulfield, J. B.: Effects of varying the vehicle for OsO4 in tissue fixation. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 3, 827–829 (1957).
Enami, M.: The sources and activities of two chromatophorotropic hormones in crabs of the genus Sesarma. II. Histology of incretory elements. Biol. Bull. 101, 241–258 (1951).
Gabe, M.: Sur l'existence d'un cycle sécrétoire dans la glande du sinus (organe pseudofrontal), chez Oniscus asellus L. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 235, 900–902 (1952).
Gerschenfeld, H. M., Tramezzani, J., deRobertis, E.: Ultrastructure and function in the neurohypophysis of the toad. Endocrinology 66, 741–762 (1960).
Hagadorn, I. R., Bern, H. A., Nishioka, R. S.: The fine structure of the supraesophageal ganglion of the Rhynchobdellid leech, Theromyzon rude, with special reference to neurosecretion. Z. Zellforsch. 58, 714–758 (1963).
Hodge, M. H., Chapman, G. B.: Some observations on the fine structure of the sinus gland of a land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 571–574 (1958).
Knowles, F. G. W.: The control of pigmentary effectors. In: Comparative endocrinology, ed. A. Gorbman. New York: Wiley Press 1959.
Luft, J. H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961).
Meusy, J. J.: Précisions nouvelles sur l'ultrastructure de la glande du sinus d'un crustacé décapode brachyoure, Carcinus maenas L. Bull. Soc. zool. Fr. 93, 291–299 (1968).
Normann, T. C.: The neurosecretory system of the adult Calliphora erythrocephala. I. The fine structure of the corpus cardiacum with some observations on adjacent organs. Z. Zellforsch. 67, 461–501 (1965).
—: Experimentally induced exocytosis of neurosecretory granules. Exp. Cell Res. 55, 285–287 (1969).
Palade, G. E.: A study of fixation for electron microscopy. J. exp. Med. 95, 285–297 (1952).
Palay, S. L.: An electron microscope study of the neurohypophysis in normal, hydrated and dehydrated rats. Anat. Rec. 121, 348 (Abstract) (1955).
Potter, D. D.: Histology of the neurosecretory system of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. Anat. Rec. 120, 716 (Abstract) (1954).
—: Observations on the neurosecretory system of portunid crabs. Proc. Second Int. Symp. Neurosecretion, eds. W. Bargmann, B. Hanström, E. Scharrer, B. Scharrer, p. 113–118. Berlin-Göttingen-Heidelberg: Springer 1958.
Pyle, R. W.: The histogenesis and cyclic phenomena of the sinus gland and X-organ in crustacea. Biol. Bull. 85, 87–102 (1943).
Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).
Sabatini, D. D., Bensch, K., Barrnett, R. J.: Cytochemistry and electron microscopy. The preservation of the cellular ultrastructure and enzymatic activity by aldehyde fixation. J. Cell Biol. 17, 19–58 (1963).
Shivers, R. R.: Fine structure of crayfish optic ganglia. Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 47, 677–733 (1967).
—: Possible sites of release of neurosecretory granules in the sinus gland of the crayfish, Orconectes nais. Z. Zellforsch. 97, 38–44 (1969).
Weitzman, M.: Ultrastructural study on the release of neurosecretory material from the sinus gland of the land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis. Z. Zellforsch. 94, 147–154 (1969).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by USPHS-NIH Training Grant GM-00669 and Grant GB-7595X from the National Science Foundation.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Andrews, P.M., Copeland, D.E. & Fingerman, M. Ultrastructural study of the neurosecretory granules in the sinus gland of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus . Z. Zellforsch. 113, 461–471 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00325666
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00325666