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Electron microscopy of neurosecretory nerve fibres in the neural lobe of the embryonic mouse

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Summary

Nerve fibres of the neurosecretory hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract were studied in embryonic C3H mouse neural lobes; at least four glands at each gestational day 15–19 were examined.

Single axons and small bundles of fibres are visible at gestational days 15 and 16. By day 17 large fibre bundles penetrate between glial cells. They increase in number during the next two days.

Electron-lucent and electron-dense vesicles are seen in the fibres of the 15th and 16th gestational days. In the 17–19 day-old embryos development is characterized by a successive rise in the number of the two types of vesicles. The mean diameter of the electron-lucent vesicles is approximately unchanged in all the stages examined (50 nm). The electron-dense vesicles increase in size from approximately 80–90 nm at days 15–16 to 140 nm at the 19th gestational day.

By day 19 contacts between neurosecretory fibre terminals and the outer basement membrane of internal and peripheral capillaries are occasionally observed. The possibly adrenergic nature of a few terminals contacting peripheral vascular structures in 17 and 18 day-old embryos is suggested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Gothenburg, Fack, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Laila Eurenius & Rune Jarskär

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  1. Laila Eurenius
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  2. Rune Jarskär
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This investigation was supported by grant No. 2180-020 from the Swedish Natural Science Research Council. The skilful technical assistance of Mrs. Ulla Wennerberg is gratefully acknowledged.

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Eurenius, L., Jarskär, R. Electron microscopy of neurosecretory nerve fibres in the neural lobe of the embryonic mouse. Cell Tissue Res. 149, 333–347 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00226768

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00226768

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