The accessory hyperstriatum of the domestic fowl

Summary The accessory hyperstriatum of normal domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) was fixed with aldehydes followed by osmication and studied by electron microscopy. The relationships among neurons, neuroglia, and their processes is reported. Large and smaller neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendroglia are identified and their fine structure described. Most axonal endings contain spheroidal presynaptic vesicles, but a few terminals with flattened vesicles also are seen. Symmetrical and asymmetrical synaptic specializations of axon terminals are observed.     

The preoptic area of the domestic fowl

Summary The preoptic area of the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) was studied by means of the Golgi technique. At least two regions can be recognized: (i) a medial and (ii) a lateral area, clearly distinguishable laterally from the adjacent telencephalic regions. The dendritic organization of the preoptic area is quite uniform. The neurons can be classified as isodendritic elements. The magnocellular elements are few and irregularly scattered mostly in the periventricular grey of the medial preoptic area. Of relevant interest is also the observation of some bipolar and horizontal neurons in the dorsal part of the medial preoptic area, near the anterior commissure.     

The hypothalamic magnocellular system in the domestic fowl

Summary In the rostral hypothalamus of the domestic fowl, the magnocellular neurosecretory nuclei show a peculiar differentiation. Golgi studies of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the fowl reveal at least two major cell types: 1) large multipolar neurons, and 2) small interneurons. Golgi impregnations provide a detailed cytoarchitectural picture of the large-sized cells; the latter may well correspond to the neurosecretory cells demonstrated in the same regions by selective staining, and immunocytochemical and electron microscopical techniques.Electron microscopically, neuronal perikarya are observed to contain variable amounts of neurosecretory granules (100–200 nm in diameter; mean diameter of 160 nm) scattered throughout the cytoplasm. The diameters of these granules do not differ statistically in the two principal nuclear areas examined. The perikarya of these neurons display only a few axosomatic synapses containing electron-lucent and dense-cored vesicles (70–90 nm in diameter). Numerous nerve terminals of this type also end on the dendritic ramifications in the surrounding neuropil.     

The mode of inheritance of fecundity in the domestic fowl

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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The mode of inheritance of fecundity in the domestic fowl

     

The hypothalamic magnocellular system in the domestic fowl. Study on semithin sections

Neuronal characteristics and location of the neurosecretory, magnocellular, fuchsin-paraldehyde-positive (FA+) system of the fowl are described at the light-microscopic level on serial semithin sections. Three nuclei make up this system, the nucleus supraopticus, n. magnocellularis interstitialis and n. paraventricularis. These nuclei display magnocellular neurons, not showing a parvocellular component. The neurons of the three nuclei showed a scattered pattern of distribution and a dense surrounding neuropil. Groups formed by magnocellular neurons were found in the three nuclei and groups formed by one magnocellular and a parvocellular neurons were only found in the n. magnocellularis interstitialis and in the n. paraventricularis. The presence of neurons in apposition to blood vessels was frequent in the magnocellular FA+ system of the domestic fowl.     

Ultimobranchial gland of the domestic fowl

Summary The ultimobranchial gland (UBG) of birds is particularly rich in calcitonin, the hypocalcaemic hypophosphataemic hormone, that is secreted by the C-cells of the mammalian thyroid. The principal cells of the UBG have a striking resemblance with the mammalian C-cells, i.e., they possess small intracytoplasmic dense-core secretory granules, 150–300 nm in diameter. The gland also contains a second, morphologically distinct, endocrine cell type with larger granules, 500–800 nm in diameter. A sensitive immunocytochemical reaction was developed with the use of antibodies against salmon calcitonin. By means of this technique the presence of calcitonin-immunoreactive molecules was demonstrated in both secretory cell types of the UB gland of the chicken. This gland can thus be considered as a homogeneous calcitonin-producing tissue. Whether the secretory products are identical is discussed and differences in the secretory pathways are suggested.