The Morphology and Evolutional Significance of the Pineal Body

Tilney, Frederick

doi:10.1097/00000441-192009000-00020

Cited by 18 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…Early developmental and anatomical studies by Tilney & Warren (1919) and Berblinger (1926) indicated that the pineal body has the morphological characteristics of a glandular structure, with obvious secretory cells, which point to a role in endocrinological status. Recent electronmicroscopical studies (De Robertis & Pellegrino de Iraldi, 1961) also strongly suggest an endocrine status for the pineal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Action of Pineal Extracts on the Gonads and Their Function

Reiß¹,

Rm²,

Sideman³

et al. 1963

Journal of Endocrinology

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The action of pineal extracts on the genital system of several species of laboratory animals has been investigated. Determination of the phosphorus turnover in the genital organs of treated animals proved to be a significant guide to the action of pineal preparations. Doses of pineal extracts lower than those required for weight changes sufficed to produce changes in phosphorus metabolism.Apparently contradictory results encountered originally were explained when findings were evaluated on the basis of the age of the test animal and the type of extract used. Thus, in immature and/or hypophysectomized animals, crude aqueous extracts stimulate the genital system, whereas in mature intact animals the same extract often has an inhibitory effect on the same organs. The inhibitory effect could be measured also in immature mice treated with gonadotrophic hormone and this proved useful in short-term experiments.Crude glandular suspensions apparently contain both inhibitory and stimulatory principles. Partial separation of these was achieved through the use of trichloracetic acid, the supernatant fluid having predominantly inhibitory action while the stimulatory substance was found mainly in the precipitate.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Action of Pineal Extracts on the Gonads and Their Function

Reiß¹,

Rm²,

Sideman³

et al. 1963

Journal of Endocrinology

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“…Morphological evidence for a photoreceptive function of the pineal complex in lampreys has been provided by light microscopic investigations (Ahlborn, 1883(Ahlborn, , 1884Owsiannikow, 1888;Beard, 1889;Gaskell, 1890;Spencer, 1890;Studnicka, 1893Studnicka, , 1895Studnicka, , 1899Studnicka, , 1905Retzius, 1895;Mayer, 1897;Sterzi, 1904;Dendy, 1907;Schilling, 1907;Tretjakoff, 1913Tretjakoff, , 1915Tilney and Warren, 1919;Pop and Dusa, 1959;Eddy and Strahan, 1970). Furthermore, electrophysiological observations have confirmed that the pineal complex of the river lamprey.…”

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confidence: 99%

Morphology of the pineal complex of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L.

Cole

Youson

1982

Am. J. Anat.

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The pineal complex of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L., has been examined by light and electron microscopy. It consists of two subunits: a dorsomedial pineal organ, and a ventral, left-lateral parapineal organ, with both remaining cytologically unaltered throughout the life cycle. However, during metamorphosis there is an increase in the size and a rostral migration of the parapineal organ and a dorsolateral displacement of the pineal nerve tract. The pineal organ is composed of an end bulb, an atrium, and a nerve tract. Two varieties of photoreceptors, termed type I and type II cells, as well as supporting and ganglion cells are present. Supporting cells are ubiquitous, but there are regional variations in the distribution and abundance of the other cell types. Type I cells are a well-differentiated photoreceptor. Conversely, type II cells exhibit a poorly developed photosensory apparatus but possess some features commensurate with an endocrine activity. The parapineal organ is composed of an end bulb, a ganglion region, and a nerve tract. The end bulb is dominated by type II photoreceptor and supporting cells, whereas type I and ganglion cells are sparse. The parapineal ganglion and nerve tract include neuropil, polymorphic neurons, and ependymal cells. It is concluded that the pineal organ of P. marinus is a structurally well-developed photosensory and photoneuroendocrine organ that is probably capable of transducing photic stimuli into nervous and endocrine messages to the brain and other organs. In contrast, the parapineal of this lamprey species is a poorly developed organ of regressed or rudimentary structure.

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“…DISCUSSION If the region between the habenular and posterior commissures gives rise to only one vesicular structure, as is the case for the two species of gecko studied in this report, some problem in identification may occur, since end-vesicles and proximal portions for both parapineal organs and pineal organs have been described for lizards. Tilney and Warren (1919) state that for Gecko versus and Platydactylus muralis only the epiphysis is present, whereas for Hemidactylus uerruculatus they mention only an end-vesicle, and for Hemidactylus mabouia and Gehyra oceanica they mention an end-vesicle and a stalk. It is not clear whether they studied the pineal region of geckos themselves or simply reviewed the findings of others.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ganglion cells were never identified, nor was a pineal nerve found, although two or three myelinated fibers were seen in or near the capsule in a few specimens. Pigment cells, which form a prominent feature of the parietal organ of some reptiles (Tilney and Warren, 1919;Oksche and Kirschstein, 19681, occurred in very small numbers. Therefore, morphologic evidence for photoreception was not convincing.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%