Light and Drug Induced Changes of Epiphysial Synaptic Ribbons

Overview

Journal Cell Tissue Res

Specialties Anatomy & Histology
Cell Biology

Date 1976 Jan 27

PMID 129284

Citations 19

Authors

L Vollrath

C Howe

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In the present investigation experiments were carried out to determine whether the functionally obscure synaptic rebbons of mammalian pinealocytes can be affected by acute changes in environmental lighting and which chemical processes may be involved in their regulation. Experiments carried out in male guinea-pigs have shown that the amounts of synaptic ribbons are immediately affected by changes in the lighting pattern. Extension of the light period reduced the normally occurring increase, whereas extension of the dark period inhibited the normally occurring decrease in the amount of synaptic ribbons. Results following injections of a number of drugs known to influence pineal function (noradrenaline, L-DOPA, propranolol, reserpine and p-chlorophenylalanine, respectively) suggest that synaptic ribbons may be directly or indirectly regulated by beta-adrenergic mechanisms.

Citing Articles

"Synaptic" ribbons and spherules of the rat pineal gland: day/night changes in vitro?.

Karasek M, Vollrath L Exp Brain Res. 1982; 46(2):205-8.

PMID: 7095030 DOI: 10.1007/BF00237178.

Day-night differences in the number of pineal "synaptic" ribbons in two diurnal rodents, the chipmunk (Tamias striatus) and the ground squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii).

Karasek M, King T, Richardson B, Hurlbut E, Hansen J, Reiter R Cell Tissue Res. 1982; 224(3):689-92.

PMID: 6889463 DOI: 10.1007/BF00213764.

Circadian variations in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. A quantitative electron-microscopic study.

Matsushima S, Morisawa Y, Aida I, Abe K Cell Tissue Res. 1983; 228(2):231-44.

PMID: 6825163 DOI: 10.1007/BF00204875.

Pineal "synaptic" ribbons and spherules during the estrous cycle in rats.

Kosaras B, Welker H, Vollrath L Anat Embryol (Berl). 1983; 166(2):219-27.

PMID: 6682638 DOI: 10.1007/BF00305084.

Effects of melatonin on synaptic ribbons in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. A quantitative electron-microscopic study.

Matsushima S, Sakai Y, Aida I Cell Tissue Res. 1983; 233(1):59-67.

PMID: 6616566 DOI: 10.1007/BF00222232.

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