Photoreceptor-like outer segments in the pineal organ of the lovebird,Uroloncha domestica (Aves: Passeriformes) |
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Authors: | Prof Manfred Ueck Reiko Ohnishi Prof Kenjiro Wake |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Anatomy, Osaka City University Medical School, Abenoku, Osaka, Japan;(2) Zentrum für Anatomie und Cytobiologie, Aulweg 123, D-6300 Giessen, Federal Republic of Germany;(3) Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima, Bunkyoku, 113 Tokyo, Japan |
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Abstract: | Summary In the pineal organ of the lovebird, Uroloncha domestica, bulbous, cup-shaped and elongated outer segments of photoreceptor-like pinealocytes are demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. These scarce outer segments, 4–11 m in length, extend into the pineal lumen. The present structural observations speak in favor of photosensitive pinealocytes in the pineal organ of Uroloncha domestica. The relation of the photoreceptor-like pinealocytes to acetylcholinesterase-positive nerve cells and a nervous connection between the pineal and the brain indicate that the pineal organ of this passeriform species may be the site of neuroendocrine and photoreceptive functions.Supported by a fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science to M. UeckSupported by a grant from the Ministry of Education of Japan to K. Wake and by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to M. Ueck |
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Keywords: | Pineal organ Uroloncha domestica (Aves Passeriformes) Photoreceptor-like cells Scanning electron microscopy |
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