Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ultrastructural studies on the development of the nerve supply in the rabbit pars intermedia

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

By electron microscopy three types of nerve terminals have been identified in adult rabbit pars intermedia (PI). The characteristics of these are described and their development traced. The distribution of nerve terminals and neurons within the PI is documented. In particular the association between types of nerve terminal and the different glandular cells is shown to be precise and selective. Direct innervation of the ACT-type cells in the rabbit PI is described for the first time.

The author is particularly grateful to Dr. J. W. B. Bradfield for help in the preparation of this paper.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Atwell, W. J.: The development of the hypophysis cerebri of the rabbit (Lepus canaliculus). Amer. J. Anat. 24, 271–337 (1918)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barer, R., Lederis, K.: Ultrastructure of the rabbit neurohypophysis, with special reference to the release of hormones. Z. Zellforsch. 75, 201–239 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargmann, W.: Weitere Untersuchungen am neurosekretorischen Zwischenhirn-Hypophysensystem. Z. Zellforsch. 42, 247–272 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargmann, W., Knoop, A.: Über die morphologischen Beziehungen des neurosekretorischen Zwischenhirnsystems zum Zwischenlappen der Hypophyse (Licht- und Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen. Z. Zellforsch. 52, 256–277 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargmann, W., Lindner, E., Andres, K. H.: Über Synapsen an endokrinen Epithelzellen und die Definition sekretorischer Neurone. Untersuchungen am Zwischenlappen der Katzenhypophyse. Z. Zellforsch. 77, 282–298 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumgarten, H. G., Björklund, A., Holstein, A. F., Nobin, A.: Organization and ultrastructural identification of the catecholamine nerve terminals in the neural lobe and pars inter-media of the rat pituitary. Z. Zellforsch. 126, 483–517 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Belenky, M. A., Konstantinova, M. S., Polenov, A. L.: On neurosecretory and adrenergic fibers in the intermediate lobe of the hypophysis in albino mice. Gen. comp. Endocr. 15, 185–197 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Björklund, A., Enemar, A., Falck, B.: Monoamines in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system in the mouse with special reference to the ontogenic aspects. Z. Zellforsch. 89, 590–607 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, E., Foster, C. L.: Some light- and electron-microscopical observations on the pars intermedia of the pituitary gland of the rabbit. J. Endocr. 49, 479–485 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, M. L., Steele, J. E.: Simplified aldehyde-fuchsin staining of neurosecretory cells. Stain Technol. 34, 265–266 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chatterjee, P.: Extracellular banded structures in cultures of the rabbit adenohypophysis. J. Anat. (Lond.) 115, 415–420 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahlström, A., Fuxe, K.: Monoamines and the pituitary gland. Acta endocr. (Kbh). 51, 301–314 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, A. B.: Evidence for the termination of neurosecretory fibers within the pars intermedia of the hypophysis of the frog, Rana pipiens. Anat. Rec. 115, 63–70 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  • Enemar, A., Falck, B.: On the presence of adrenergic nerves in the pars intermedia of the frog Rana temporaria. Gen. comp. Endocr. 5, 577–583 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Iturriza, F. C.: Monoamines in the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary of the Argentinianeel. Naturwissenschaften 54, 565 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Iversen, L. L., Callingham, B. A.: Synaptic vesicles, specific granules, autopharmacology: Adrenergic transmission. In: Fundamentals of biochemical pharmacology (Z. M. Bach, R. Capek, R. Paoletti and J. Renson, eds.), p. 253–267. London: Pergamon Press 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Kastin, A. J., Schally, A. V.: In: Pigmentation: Its genesis and biologic control (Vernon Riley, ed.), p. 215–223. New York: Appleton-Century-Croft Educational division, Meredith Corporation 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, F.: Evidence for a dual control, by neurosecretion, of hormone synthesis and hormone release in the pituitary of the dogfish. Phil. Trans. B 249, 435–456 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, F., Vollrath, L.: Neurosecretory innervation of the pituitary of the eels Anguilla and Conger. I. The structure and ultrastructure of the neurointermediate lobe under normal and experimental conditions. Phil. Trans. B 250, 311–327 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, F. G. W., Weatherhead, B., Martin, R.: The ultrastructure of neurosecretory fibre terminals after zinc-iodine-osmium impregnation. In: Aspects of neuroendocrinology (W. Bargmann and B. Scharrer, eds.), p. 159–165. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurosumi, K., Matsuzawa, T., Shibasaki, S.: Electron microscope studies on the fine structures of the pars nervosa and pars intermedia, and their morphological interrelation in the normal rat hypophysis. Gen. comp. Endocr. 1, 433–452 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Meurling, P., Björklund, A.: The arrangement of neurosecretory and catecholamine fibres in relation to the pituitary intermedia cells of the skate, Raja radiata. Z. Zellforsch. 108, 81–92 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moriarty, G. C., Halmi, N. S.: Electron microscopic study of the adrenocorticotropin-producing cell with the use of unlabelled antibody and the soluble peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 20, 590–603 (1972 a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moriarty, G. C., Halmi, N. S.: Adrenocorticotropin production by the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary. Z. Zellforsch. 132, 1–14 (1972 b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Naik, D. V.: Electron microscopic studies on the pars intermedia in normal and in mice with hereditary nephrogenic Diabetes insipidus. Z. Zellforsch. 133, 415–434 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Naik, D. V.: Immunochemical localisation of adrenocorticotropin and melanocyte stimulating hormone in pars intermedia of rat hypophysis. Z. Zellforsch. 142, 289–304 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakai, Y., Gorbman, A.: Evidence for a doubly innervated secretory unit in the anuran pars intermedia. II. Electron microscopic studies. Gen. comp. Endocr. 13, 108–116 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oshima, K., Gorbman, A.: Evidence for a doubly innervated secretory unit in the anuran pars intermedia. I. Electrophysiologic studies. Gen. comp. Endocr. 13, 98–107 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharrer, E.: Das Hypophysen-Zwischenhirnsystem von Scyllium stellare. Z. Zellforsch. 37, 196–204 (1952)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schechter, J.: A light and electron microscopic study of Rathke's pouch in fetal rabbits. Gen. comp. Endocr. 14, 53–67 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoeckel, M. E., Dellmann, H. D., Porte, A., Gartner, C.: The rostral zone of the intermediate lobe of the mouse hypophysis, a zone of particular concentration of corticotrophic cells. Z. Zellforsch. 122, 310–322 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoeckel, M. E., Dellmann, H. D., Porte, A., Klein, M. J., Stutinsky, F.: Corticotrophic cells on the rostral zone of the pars intermedia and in the adjacent neurohypophysis of the rat and mouse. Z. Zellforsch. 136, 97–110 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Szentágothai, J., Flerkó, B., Mess, B., Halász, B.: In: Hypothalamic control of the anterior pituitary. An experimental-morphological study (3rd ed.). Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Taleisnik, S., Orias, B., de Olmos, J.: Topographic distribution of the melanocyte-stimulating hormone-releasing factor in rat hypothalamus. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N.Y.) 122, 325–328 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Terneby, U. K.: The development of the hypophysial vascular system in the rabbit, with particular regard to the primary plexus and portal vessels. J. neuro-visc. Relations 32, 311–346 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vincent, D. S., Anand Kumar, T. C.: Electron microscopic studies on the pars intermedia of the ferret. Z. Zellforsch. 99, 185–195 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Voitkevich, A. A., Ovchinnikova, G. A.: The nature of the regulatory influences exerted by the hypothalamus on the anterior lobe and pars intermedia of the hypophysis. Biull. Eksp. Biol. Med. 55, 207–210 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollrath, L.: The origin of “synaptic” vesicles in neurosecretory axons. In: Aspects of neuroendocrinology (W. Bargmann and B. Scharrer, eds.), p. 173–176. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittkowski, W.: Kapillaren und perikapilläre Räume im Hypothalamo-Hypophysen-System und ihre Beziehungen zum Nervengewebe. Z. Zellforsch. 81, 344–360 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cellular Biology and Histology, St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, England

    Prasad Chatterjee

Authors
  1. Prasad Chatterjee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This work was supported by the Standing Award Committee of St. Mary's Hospital. Electron micrographs were taken in the Department of Anatomy, Middlesex Hospital Medical School. Thanks are due to Professor C. L. Foster for providing the facilities and help. Mr. L. Ethridge, Mr. H. Jagessor and Miss C. Steward are thanked for their technical assistance.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chatterjee, P. Ultrastructural studies on the development of the nerve supply in the rabbit pars intermedia. Cell Tissue Res. 152, 113–128 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224214

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224214

Key words

Search

Navigation