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Effect of Isocyanide on the Ultrastructure of Mouse Pineal *
Author(s) -
Chang Nada,
Bhatnagar Kunwar P.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0264.1984.tb00709.x
Subject(s) - ultrastructure , pinealocyte , pineal gland , endoplasmic reticulum , biology , medicine , endocrinology , chemistry , anatomy , microbiology and biotechnology , circadian rhythm
To investigate the possible influence of a strong malodorant on the pineal gland, the effects of tertiary n‐butyl isocyanide on the ultrastructure of pinealocytes were studied. Adult male mice were adapted to a 23 hr dark: 1 hr light “long night” regimen to stimulate their pineal glands. Pinealocytes in “long night” adapted animals appeared metabolically active. Dramatic ultrastructural changes seen in pinealocytes of “long night” adapted animals after a six‐hour exposure to the malodorant followed by a ten‐hour period of rest included an increase in density of the nuclear chromatin, dilatations of the nuclear envelope, dilatation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and swelling of mitochondria. Isocyanide treatment did not affect the ultrastructure of liver, kidney, olfactory bulb or striate cortex of the animals exposed to odor. Our observations indicate that inhalation of isocyanide induces specific ultrastructural changes in the pineal gland which may be suggestive of its altered synthetic activity.