"Dark" and "pale" cells of the amygdala complex in dynamics of the estrous cycle

Data on cytological peculiarities of dorsomedial nucleus neurones of the amygdala complex, one of the main zones of sexual dimorphism, in dynamics of estrous cycle are reported. We show that structural and functional characteristics of "dark" and "pale" cells may change depending on the concentrations of gonadal steroids in estrous and metaestrous stages. This specifies the previous hypothesis about mutual reorganization of these cells.     

"Chloroplast symbiosis" and the extent to which it occurs in Sacoglossa (Gastropoda: Mollusca)

Criteria for defining "chloroplast symbiosis" are outlined. Investigations are described into the presence or absence of chloroplast symbiosis in Limapontia capitata, "pale" and "dark" forms of L. depressa, Alderia modesta and Elysia viridis. Apart from E. viridis, only "pale" forms of L. depressa showed signs of the phenomenon. All sacoglossans hitherto shown definitely to possess "chloroplast symbiosis" have the twin characteristics of being elysioid and having siphonaceous algae as the source of chloroplasts. It is therefore suggested that the phenomenon may not be very widespread in the order, probably occurring in less than half of all species.     

Light and dark Purkinje cells (light microscopic and microautoradiographic studies]

The authors deal with the phenomenon of dualism of pale and dark ganglion cells in general, the phenomenon which, since FLEMMING (1882), still remains an actual problem of neurohistology. They deal with Purkinje cells from a special aspect with the aim to demonstrate the dualism through various staining methods. They directed their attention also to the question of the influence of perfusion and immersion fixation and length of staining with luxol-fast-blue on the production of luxol-positive (chromophilic) Purkinje cells. The authors have found that these methodologic circumstances do not influence the production of luxol-positive Purkinje cells, so it can be hardly spoken about an artifact. Examinations with the labelled leucine have shown that the increased metabolic activity can be observed in those Purkinje cells which in HE-picture are seen as pale ones. In the dark Purkinje cells leucine granulations are located on the surface of plasmatic membrane and they follow to some distance the main dendrite of those cells. The microautoradiographic method evidences for the increased leucine metabolism of the pale Purkinje cells as well.     

电刺激杏仁复合体诱发心律失常及其下行神经通路的初步探讨

电刺激杏仁复合体能诱发心律失常。心律失常的类型为心动过缓伴室性或结性期外收缩。刺激杏仁复合体不同亚核均能诱发心律失常,不同类型的心律失常在核内具有相应的代表点。心律失常发作与杏仁局部区域诱发的爆发性后放电有关。推测杏仁复合体内神经元过度激活可能通过杏仁-迷走神经运动背核及杏仁-下丘脑外侧区等通路下行,使心率减慢、房室传导阻滞而导致心律失常。     

Relation between the septal nuclei and the amygdaloid complex of the brain of the cat

By means of retrograde and anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase method it has been demonstrated in two series of experiments with injecting the enzyme into separate septal nuclei and the amygdaloid complex in cats that most of amygdaloid nuclei (cortico-medial, central and baso-lateral) are reciprocally connected only with two nuclei in the septum: with the nucleus of the diagonal bundle of Broca and with the nucleus of the terminal strip bed. The projections studied are topically organized. The cortico-medial and basal nuclei of the amygdaloid complex are reciprocally connected with the ventral part of the diagonal bundle of Broca and with the terminal strip bed nucleus. The central nucleus of the amygdala has reciprocal projections only with the terminal strip bed nucleus, and with the ventral part of the diagonal bundle of Broca it has only a unilateral connection. On the contrary, the lateral nucleus of the amygdala is reciprocally connected with the ventral part of the diagonal bundle of Broca, and is only projected on the terminal strip bed nucleus without getting any projections from it.     

"Light" and "dark" pinealocytes of the porcine pineal gland

Both qualitative and quantitative comparative studies of "dark" and "light" pinealocytes of the porcine pineal gland have been carried out. These cells differ from each other in their electronic density of cytoplasm, shape of nucleus, the structure of membrane bound dense bodies and the number of microtubules and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The membrane bound dense bodies--characteristic structures of pig pinealocytes as well dense core vesicles occur in both types of cells. The relative volume of the majority of the cells' organellae apart from the Golgi apparatus, also do not show any significant difference. The results obtained support a functional basis for pinealocyte differentiation in the porcine pineal gland.     

Fos Expression in the Rat Brain After Intraperitoneal Injection of Staphylococcus Enterotoxin B and the Effect of Vagotomy

The current study was designed to locate the neuronal activation in rat brain following intraperitoneal injection of Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) and observe the consequence of preliminary subdiaphragmatic vagotomy on SEB-induced brain Fos expression to clarify the role of the vagus nerve in sensation and transmission of abdominal SEB stimulation. The results showed that intraperitoneal SEB (1 mg/kg) induced a robust Fos expression in widespread brain areas. A significant increase of Fos immunoreactive cells were observed in the solitary tract nucleus, locus ceruleus, lateral parabrachial nucleus, ventrolateral part of central gray, medial amygdaloid nucleus, central amygdaloid nucleus, ventromedial part of thalamus, dorsomedial part of thalamus, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, lateral habenula, and lateral septum nucleus following SEB challenge. In hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, in addition to the dense Fos expression in the parvocellular portion, some Fos-positive cells were also observed in the anterior magnocellular nucleus of the complex. Double immunofluorescence studies showed that these Fos-immunoreactive cells were mostly oxytocinergic. The results also showed that subdiaphragmatic vagotomy largely attenuated, but not totally abrogated, the brain Fos expression induced by abdominal administration of SEB. Our data suggest that peripheral SEB stimulation can induce activation of neurons in widespread brain areas and that the vagus plays a crucial role in transmitting the signal of abdominal immune stimulation to the brain.     

Polarization microscopic evidence for an oriented cytoplasmic structure in the "dark" variants of adrenalin-storing cells.

A diffuse cytoplasmic birefringence confined to "dark" adrenalinstoring cells has been described. The main optical characteristics of the birefringence factor include: regular orientation of birefringence relative to the base-apex axis of cells; additive anisotropic staining with methods based on the principle of topo-optical staining reactions; dependence of birefringence on labile morphologic properties. On the basis of the capacity of the macromolecular matrix of chromaffin granules to form lamellar liposomal structures in vitro it has been proposed that a reorientation of molecular organization in the matrix of chromaffin cells is responsible for the observed optical phenomenon. The direction of birefringence was explained by a preferential direction of contractile forces acting during "dark" cell formation.     

雌激素Beta受体在大鼠脑内表达的免疫组化定位研究

为了探讨雌激素作用于神经系统的机理,采用硫酸镍铵增强显色的免疫组化SP法研究了新的雌激素受体（ER－β）在成年雌雄大鼠脑内的分布。研究证实ER－β免疫阳性物质主要位于神经元的细胞核内,但在个别脑区也可在胞浆甚至突起内检测到。最强的ER－β免疫阳性信号见于前嗅核、大脑皮质、小脑浦肯野细胞、斜角带垂直部、蓝斑和三叉神经运动核等部位;中等强度的染色见于隔内侧核、杏仁外侧核、黑质、中央灰质等部位;较弱的阳性反应见于下丘脑与杏仁复合体的部分核团。在一些部位还存在表达水平甚至细胞内定位模式的性别差异,如前庭上核内的表达只见于雌性;雄性大鼠三叉神经运动核内ER－β蛋白主要表达于胞浆内,细胞核为阴性;而在雌性大鼠该部位ER－β蛋白主要位于细胞核等。以上结果表明ER－β蛋白在大鼠脑内分布广泛并具有一定的性别差异,在与学习记忆有关的脑区如大脑皮质和基底前脑内有很高的表达,提示在脑组织内雌激素可能通过ER－β这一新的信号途径发挥多种重要的调控作用,如学习记忆等。     

The amygdala of the cat: A golgi study

Summary The amygdaloid complex in the cat was studied in a series of Golgi preparations. Both the lateral and the basal nucleus are composed of the same two cell types, one of which (type P) resembles the pyramidal and the other (type S) the stellate neuron of the cortex. The cortical nucleus can be divided into three layers (I, II, and III–IV) which are made up of cells similar to those in the periamygdaloid cortex. In addition, there are sufficient differences in the organization of these layers to justify a subdivision of the cortical nucleus into lateral and medial parts. The dendrites of neurons in the medial part of the central nucleus, the medial nucleus and the anterior amygdaloid area undergo less branching and carry fewer spines than those of the type P cell. The neurons in the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract are all of the pyramidal or modified pyramidal type. These findings are discussed in relation to those of previous investigators who employed the Nissl and Golgi methods.This investigation was supported by the Medical Research Council of Canada, Grant M.T. 870. The author wishes to thank Miss Elizabeth Korzeniowski for her technical assistance.     

A comparative volumetric analysis of the amygdaloid complex and basolateral division in the human and ape brain

The amygdaloid complex functions to facilitate effective appraisal of the social environment and is an essential component of the neural systems subserving social behavior. Despite its critical role in mediating social interaction, the amygdaloid complex has not attracted the same attention as the isocortex in most evolutionary analyses. We performed a comparative analysis of the amygdaloid complex in the hominoids to address the lack of comparative information available for this structure in the hominoid brain. We demarcated the amygdaloid complex and the three nuclei constituting its basolateral division, the lateral, basal, and accessory basal nuclei, in 12 histological series representing all six hominoid species. The volumes obtained for these areas were subjected to allometric analyses to determine whether any species deviated from expected values based on the other hominoids. Differences between groups were addressed using nonparametric comparisons of means. The human lateral nucleus was larger than predicted for an ape of human brain size and occupied the majority of the basolateral division, whereas the basal nucleus was the largest of the basolateral nuclei in all ape species. In orangutans the amygdala and basolateral division were smaller than in the African apes. While the gorilla had a smaller than predicted lateral nucleus, its basal and accessory basal nuclei were larger than predicted. These differences may reflect volumetric changes occurring in interconnected cortical areas, specifically the temporal lobe and orbitofrontal cortex, which also subserve social behavior and cognition, suggesting that this system may be acted upon in hominoid and hominid evolution.     

The Thymic Microenvironment of the Common Sole,Solea solea

Abstract The thymus of the sole Solea solea contained lymphoblasts and thymocytes within a network of pale and dark epithelial cells. The pale cells were characterized by tonofilaments and desmosomes and some embraced rodlet cells within their cytoplasmic processes. The dark epithelial cells had numerous electron-dense inclusions and electron-lucent vacuoles. Lymphocytes were closely associated with the plasma membrane of both types of epithelial cells and with macrophages. Breakdown of effete lymphocytes appeared to be the main function of the macrophages. Some macrophages were multinucleated. Those containing melanin granules associated with phagosomes were classified as melanomacrophages. Pigment cells including melanophores and guanophores were present along the connective tissue trabeculae and surrounding the blood vessels. A few plasma cells and mucous cells were present.     

Poorly known stonefly species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isoperla pseudornata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kaszabia nigricauda</Emphasis> (Plecoptera,Perlodidae), from the Eastern Palaearctic

The previously unknown male of Isoperla pseudornata Zhiltzova and nymph of Kaszabia nigricauda (Navás) of the family Perlodidae are described. Sternite VIII of the male of I. pseudornata has no vesicle, the posterior margin is covered medially with strong short brownish setae. Sternite IX forms a subgenital plate. The everted aedeagus is upcurved, turned towards the dorsum, with two rounded lobes and one finger-shaped apical lobe terminating with a membranous funnel depressed medially. The aedeagus membrane is covered with small fine pointed sclerotized spinules; spinules absent on the tip of the funnel. The funnel basally and the finger-shaped apical lobe ventrally are covered with fine pointed sclerotized spinules and rounded sclerotized formations. I. pseudornata differs from the other Eastern Palaearctic congeners in the shape of spots on the head, pronotum, and abdominal tergites. The head of K. nigricauda nymph bears a large brown M-shaped spot forming along the anterior margin two fine stripes widened on the frontoclypeus; the interocular area bears a small pale spot merged with the large transverse W-shaped spot on the occiput. The lacinia is narrowed to the apex, bidentate; the tip of the galea reaches the base of the subapical tooth. The pronotum bears a pale cruciform medial spot, the lateral fields are dark, the lateral margins are pale. The meso-and metanotum exhibit a pale complicated pattern widened to the base of the wing pads. The legs are pale. The abdominal tergites are brown, with a pale transverse stripe widened laterally on the last tergites. Tergite X bears a large pale heart-shaped spot medially. The cerci bear a silky hair fringe dorsally; in the apical part, the apical whorl of cerci has short setae; one ventral and one dorsal seta are longer than the others; the dorsal setae are longer than ventral ones.     

Ontogeny of the FMRFamide-immunoreactivity in the rat forebrain and diencephalon

Ontogeny of the FMRFamide (molluscan cardioexcitatory neuropeptide)-containing structures in the forebrain and diencephalon of the rat was investigated by employing immunohistochemical methods. FMRFamide-like immunoreacted (FMRF-IR) fibers first appeared in the borders of the periventricular zone and the preoptic area at embryonic day 18 (E18). Toward birth, the FMRF-IR fibers gradually increased both in immunoreactivity and in number in these areas. A pronounced increase in FMRF-IR was also found in the septum, the arcuate nucleus, the median eminence, the paraventricular nucleus and the amygdaloid complex. A few FMRF-IR fibers appeared at the prenatal stage in the caudate nucleus, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the dorsomedial nucleus and the cortex. The first FMRFamide-immunoreactive neurons were seen in the caudate-putamen and the amygdaloid complex at E21. These FMRF-IR cells increased in immunoreactivity and a significant number of cells was noted in these nuclei in the adult rat. The highest density of FMRF-IR neurons, especially in the amygdala and tuberal hypothalamic area, was detected at postnatal two weeks (P15). FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity in the forebrain and diencephalon appeared in the cell fibers prior to that observed in the cell bodies. This may suggest that some of the immunoreacted fibers may have originated from the lower areas of the rat brain. High densities of FMRF-IR cells present in the embryonic and early postnatal stages may indicate that FMRFamide is an important factor involved in developmental organization of the central nervous system. These results also indicate a differential genesis of FMRF-IR neuronal groups in different regions.     

Vasopressin-immunoreactive cells in the dorsomedial hypothalamic region,medial amygdaloid nucleus and locus coeruleus of the rat

Summary Recently, the existence of a vasopressin-immunoreactive cell group was described in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (van Leeuwen and Caffé 1983). In the present investigation additional nuclei containing vasopressin-immunoreactive cells were found, after colchicine pretreatment, in the dorsomedial hypothalamus, medial amygdaloid nucleus and the locus coeruleus.Vasopressin-immunoreactive cells in the dorsomedial hypothalamus and medial amygdaloid nucleus are small (8–14 m and 10–14 m, respectively), while those in the locus coeruleus are medium-sized (20–25 m). Incubation with anti-bovine neurophysin II and anti-rat neurophysin revealed staining of the same cell group in the above-mentioned areas. None of these cell groups show stained cells after incubation with anti-oxytocin and anti-bovine neurophysin I. When sections of the homozygous Brattleboro rat, which shows a deficiency in vasopressin synthesis, are incubated with anti-vasopressin, anti-bovine neurophysin II, or anti-rat neurophysin, no immunoreactivity can be observed in these brain regions.The above-mentioned cell groups may contribute to the vasopressinergic innervation of brain sites that have been reported to persist after lesioning of the suprachiasmatic, paraventricular and bed nuclei of the stria terminalis.     

Some observations on the ultrastructure of the amygdala

Summary An electron microscopic study of the lateral and medial nuclei of the amygdala was undertaken as the first step towards establishing a basis for an experimental investigation of the afferent projections to the amygdaloid complex.The ultrastructural features of the two nuclei are, in general, similar. However two differences deserve mention. First, in the medial nucleus it was observed that frequently at least half the soma membrane was in apposition with glial processes. Secondly, dendritic spines were more frequently seen in the lateral nucleus. These differences may be related to the different phylogenetic origin of the two cell groups.Boutons en passant are a common feature in both nuclei.Most of the synaptic knobs could be assigned, on the basis of their vesicle content, to one of the following groups: 1. round to oval vesicles, uniform in size; 2. round to oval vesicles, varying in size; 3. predominantly flattened vesicles; and 4. predominantly dark core vesicles. At present there is not sufficient data concerning the afferents of the amygdala to allow any correlation of these four bouton types with the different incoming fibre projections.The major part of this investigation was carried out at the Anatomical Institute, University of Oslo, Norway and was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council of Canada.The author wishes to express her appreciation to Dr. Th. Blackstad for his advice and guidance.     

Quantitative differences between variants of A spermatogonia in man

The area of cytoplasm, nucleus, nucleolus and mitochondria, as well as the elongation and irregular outline of the nucleus were determined, on electron micrographs by using an image analyser, for Ap (pale), Ad (dark with intranuclear vacuole), Ad-like (dark without intranuclear vacuole), Ac (cloudy) and Al (long) human spermatogonia. Ap and Ac spermatogonia had larger nucleus, larger nucleolus, and more cytoplasm than did Ad, Ad-like, and Al spermatogonia. In addition, the nuclei of Ap and Ac spermatogonia were more spherical and had a more distinct outline.     

Heterotypic sexual behavior in male rats after lesions in different amygdaloid nuclei

Previous studies showed that different amygdaloid nuclei are involved in the control of lordosis behavior in female rats. The objective of the present study was to determine whether these nuclei played a role in the control of lordosis behavior in the male rat. Lesions were placed into different amygdaloid nuclei in male rats castrated as adults and primed with ovarian hormones. Lesions in the corticomedial amygdaloid nucleus completely suppressed lordosis behavior as expressed by the number of animals displaying lordosis responses to male mounts. By contrast extended lesions placed into the lateral amygdaloid nucleus (LN) remained without effects. Lesions placed in the very posterior part of the LN produced "hypersexuality" with a rise in the number of animals displaying lordosis responses and high LQ values. Lesions in the anterior part of the LN induced a decrease in the number of animals showing lordosis responses. The amygdala was then concluded to represent a functionally heterogeneous structure with different regions exerting opposite effects on the display of lordosis behavior in the male rat.     

A quantitative histological study of Golgi II neurons and pale cells in different cerebellar regions of the adult and ageing mouse brain

Two types of medium to large sized neurons are present in the granular layer of the mouse cerebellum. One type has a large nucleus with a prominent nucleolus and a moderate amount of cytoplasm containing Nissl substance. This type corresponds to the classical Golgi II neuron. The second type has a much smaller nucleus (mean diameter 8.4 microns) with a darkly staining nuclear envelope which is almost invariably deeply indented by cytoplasmic intrusions. The nucleolus is smaller and less conspicuous than in Golgi II neurons. These neurons are identical to the pale cells described by Altman and Bayer (1977). The numbers of both types of neuron were estimated in the spinocerebellum, lobus simplex and nodulus in mice aged 6, 15, 22, 25, 28 and 31 months. There was no significant variation in the number of either Golgi II neurons or pale cells with age in any part of the cerebellum. The number of Golgi II neurons per mm3 was similar in all parts of the cerebellum (mean 3560 mm3). This was identical to the mean number of pale cells per mm3 in the spinocerebellum and pontocerebellum but in the nodulus pale cells were much more numerous (mean 41,170 per mm3). It is postulated that pale cells are small Golgi II neurons.     

人胎杏仁核基底外侧核群含一氧化氮合酶神经元的发育

用组织化学方法研究了人胎杏仁核基底外侧核群含一氧化氮合酶（ＮＯＳ）神经元的发育。胎龄分别为１６,２１,２３,２８,３１,３８周。ＮＯＳ阳性神经元在基底外侧核群存在有两种不同的发育模式。１．在外侧核和基底核,单位面积内的阳性细胞数分别在２１周,２３周时较多,随后渐减,从３１～３８周又开始增多。２．在付基底核,２１周时阳性细胞数较多,２３周时减少,随后渐增多。从３１～３８周又渐减少。ＮＯＳ阳性神经元在整个基底外侧核群内的均面积的变化,从１６～２８周ＮＯＳ阳性神经元的均面积是渐增大的,从２８～３１周有所减少。从３１～３８周又渐增大。结果提示,ＮＯＳ阳性神经元出现于人胎基底外侧核群的发育早期,在此核的发育过程中起着很重要的作用