Intraventricular Blood Vessels Associated with the Deep Pineal Gland of the Mongolian Gerbil, Meriones Unguiculatus

Intraventricular blood vessels and choroidal-like cells were studied using scanning electron microscopy and correlative light microscopy. The intraventricular blood vessels were covered on their ependymal surface with a layer of cells essentially identical to the ependyma of the choroid plexus in the gerbil. Similar choroidal-like cells were seen either singly or in clusters associated with the cerebrospinal fluid-contacting pinealocytes of the suprapineal recess. Processes of the cerebrospinal fluid-contacting pinealocytes were seen extending to and making contact with the choroidal-like cells. The intraventricular blood vessels appeared to be derived from the choroid plexus, and typically took one of three courses in and around the surface of the deep pineal: (1) the vessels or their equivalent were located in the suprapineal recess with no indication of penetration into the substance of the deep pineal; (2) the vessels coursed from the suprapineal recess around the anterior surface of the habenular commissure to enter the ventral surface of the deep pineal; or (3) the vessels entered the parenchyma of the deep pineal from its dorsal surface and could be seen coursing through the substance of the gland. The close association between the choroidal-like cells and the intraventricular blood vessels with the deep pineal gland add morphological support for the possibility of interaction between the cerebrospinal fluid, or perhaps the choroid plexus, and the deep pineal gland.