Innervation of the avian pineal organ. A comparative study.

摘要: The innervation of the pineal organ was studied in 26 avian species under particular consideration comparative aspects. A population nerve cells and their pinealofugal (afferent) fiber systems were stained by means acetylcholinesterase method, while catecholamine-containing pinealopetal (efferent) fibers demonstrated with use glyoxylic acid method. Afferent axons mainly found postero-proximal portion organ, patterns distribution classified into three groups according to characteristic densities reaction product. number acetylcholinesterase-positive neurons organs examined this study varied extremely from species, ranging 0 362. Catecholamine-containing penetrating antero-lateral walls follicles accompanied blood vessels arranged more densely distal contrast fibers. Three-dimensional reconstruction distributional both types neural projections performed for every examined. In possessing a relatively conspicuous afferent projection, such as Passeriformes, Nycticorax, Milvus, terminals observed exclusively interfollicular perivascular tissues. Galliformes, which display only few afferents, terminate not space, but also neuroepithelial parenchyma. regional differences suggest that pinealocytes sensory-like secretory-like elements are mosaic-like pattern.