Summary
By means of a highly sensitive and specific histochemical method for the demonstration of certain biogenic monoamines a plexus of nerves containing a primary catecholamine has been demonstrated in the pars intermedia of the toad, Bufo arenarum. These nerves are restricted in distribution to the part of the gland which contains colloid vesicles (stored MSH ?) in the cells. The view is put forward, based on the results of pharmacological and surgical experiments, that the adrenergic nerves inhibit the release of the MSH from the pars intermedia. The origin of the nerves in the brain is unknown, but experiments with lesions have shown that it is not to be found in the nucleus periventricularis arcuatus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cegrell, L., and F. C. Iturriza: Identification of the monoamine-containing cells in the islets of Langerhans of the pigeon and fetal guinea pig. To be published (1967).
Dierickx, K.: On the neurosecretory control of the pars intermedia of the hypophysis in the frog. Naturwissenschaften 5, 109–110 (1965).
Enemar, A., and B. Falck: On the presence of adrenergic nerves in the pars intermedia of the frog Rana temporaria. Gen. comp. Endocr. 5, 577–583 (1965).
Falck, B., N,-Å. Hillarp, G. Thieme and A. Torp: Fluorescence of catecholamines and related compounds condensed with formaldehyde. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 10, 348–354 (1962).
Falck, B., and Ch. Owman: A detailed methodological description of the fluoerscent method for the cellular demonstration of biogenic monoamines. Acta Univ. Lund., Sec. II, 7, 1–19 (1965).
Frontera, J. G.: A study of the anuran diencephalon. J. comp. Neurol. 96, 1–70 (1952).
Giusti, L., and B. A. Houssay: Modificaciones cutaneas y genitales en el sapo por lesiones de la hipofisis y del cerebro. Rev. Asoc. méd. argent. 36, 283–287 (1923).
Iturriza, F. C.: Electron-microscopic study of the pars intermedia of the pituitary of the toad Bufo arenarum. Gen. comp. Endocr. 4, 492–502 (1964).
—: The effect of D-lysergic acid diethylamide on the melanophores of the toad Bufo arenarum under different experimental conditions. Acta endocr. (Kbh.) 48, 322–328 (1965).
—: Monoamines and control of the pars intermedia of the toad pituitary. Gen. comp. Endocr. 6, 19–25 (1966).
—, and O. R. Koch: Effect of the administration of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on the colloid vesicles of the pars intermedia of the toad pituitary. Endocrinology 75, 615–616 (1964).
—: Histochemical localization of some α-melanocyte stimulating hormone amino acid constituents in the pars intermedia of the toad pituitary. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 12, 45–46 (1964a).
—, and M. Mestorino: Nervous fibres in the pars intermedia of the toad, Bufo arenarum. Acta anat. (Basel) 60, 398–405 (1965).
Rodríguez, E. M.: Neurosecretory system of the toad Bufo arenarum Hensel and its changes during inanition. Gen. comp. Endocr. 4, 684–695 (1964).
Scott, G. T.: Melanophore dispersing action of ataraxic drugs. Biol. Bull. 117, 400 (1959).
Stoppani, A. O. M.: Estudios fisiológicos y farmacológicos sobre los melanóforos de los batracios. Thesis, University of Buenos Aires Medical School, Buenos Aires, Argentina (1942).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The research reported in this document has been sponsored by the Swedish Medical Research Council and by the Swedish Natural Science Research Council.
Research fellow of the Commission of Scientific Research of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Enemar, A., Falck, B. & Iturriza, F.C. Adrenergic nerves in the pars intermedia of the pituitary in the toad, Bufo arenarum . Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 77, 325–330 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00339238
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00339238