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Ultracytochemical Localization of Calcium in the Superficial Pineal Gland of the Mongolian Gerbil
Author(s) -
Krstić Radivoj
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of pineal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1600-079X
pISSN - 0742-3098
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-079x.1985.tb00625.x
Subject(s) - pinealocyte , golgi apparatus , cytoplasm , calcium , pineal gland , mitochondrion , endoplasmic reticulum , biology , vesicle , cytoskeleton , gerbil , microbiology and biotechnology , extracellular , biophysics , chemistry , biochemistry , cell , melatonin , membrane , medicine , endocrinology , ischemia , organic chemistry
In order to demonstrate fine localization of Ca 2+ in the superficial pineal gland of Meriones unguiculatus , the pyroantimonate technique was employed. Control experiments were performed with EGTA and analysis of obtained reaction product using an energy‐dispersive x‐ray microanalysis. Precipitates of calcium antimonate were formed almost exclusively in swollen clear pinealocytes, in and along their cell membranes, over their nuclei, in mitochondria, the Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic and integrade reticulums. acervuli, in vesicles surrounding synaptic bars, cytoplasmic matrix, and flocculent extracellular material. It has been concluded that the swollen pinealocytes represent a degenerative cell form probably occurring by impairment of plasmalemmal Ca 2+ ‐ATPase's ability to eliminate Ca 2+ ion from the cell, with consecutive increase of calcium in the cytoplasmic matrix, followed by increase of intramitochondrial Ca 2+ concentration, gradual arrest of mitochondrial function, depolymerization of cytoskeletal microtubuli, loss of the cell form, and cell death. Decrease of function of pinealocyte plasmalemma seems to be related to aging.