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Ultrastructural characteristics and innervation of the pineal organ of the antarctic seal Leptonychotes weddelli
Author(s) -
Cuello Augusto Claudio
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051410208
Subject(s) - pinealocyte , biology , ultrastructure , anatomy , seal (emblem) , pineal gland , pathology , neuroscience , medicine , melatonin , art , visual arts
The electron microscopy of the epiphysis cerebri of the antarctic seal Leptonychotes weddelli revealed a highly organized organ. The general cytological characteristics of the pinealocytes and the glial cells are described. The capillary blood vessels are the nonfenestrated type. The organ is richly innervated by mainly unmyelinated nerve fibers. Most of the axons end in the inner part of the organ, around vessels, some of them in relation with pinealocytes. The significance of the findings is discussed.