ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Intermediate lobe
;
Hypophysis
;
Ultrastructure
;
Colour change
;
Control mechanisms
;
Anolis carolinensis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The ultrastructure of the intermediate lobe of the hypophysis was studied in Anolis carolinensis with the use of a threefold aldehyde fixative. Lizards with a brown skin were selected. The possibility of two types of secretory cells is discussed; neither cell type is innervated. Type I cells are rarely found and contain dense granules approximately 0.3 μm in diameter; Type II cells vary widely in secretory activity. Most of the Type II cells contain a large number of dense secretory granules (up to about 1.3 μm in diameter) almost filling the cytoplasm. Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), Golgi apparatus and mitochondria are poorly developed. Only some of these cells show signs suggesting a high secretory activity, namely a well developed RER, Golgi apparatus and numerous mitochondria. In these cells the RER sometimes forms large intracisternal droplets (up to 7 μm in diameter). Two of the animals exhibited a more uniform, high secretory activity. Large (about 2 μm in diameter), pale vacuoles, probably of extracellular character, were found mostly in the vicinity of the perivascular septum. Their role in the release of MSH is discussed. The present data, which are discussed with reference to earlier findings (Forbes, 1972), form the morphological basis for an experimental study on regulation of MSH release (Larsson et al., 1979).
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00234186
