Structural changes, related to reproduction, in the hypothalamus and in the pars tuberalis of the rhesus monkey: Part I. The hypothalamus. Part II. The pars tuberalis

Certain cells lining a circumscribed area of the III ventricle of the rhesus monkey differ from those cells which constitute the characteristic ependymal lining of the brain. The specialized cells studied comprise a number of types which differ in their structure, ultrastructure and staining affinities; all demonstrate features which are generally associated with active secretion and/or absorption. A group of such cells, which form a limited area of the latero-ventral walls of the anterior hypothalamus, have long processes which extend to the walls of the blood vessels in the median eminence. The evidence indicates that many of these cells, here described as Type B or tanycyte cells, secrete their products into the primary capillary network of the pituitary portal system. Another group of cells, here described as Type C and C' cells are found in a slightly more posterior position lining the floor of the ventricle; as yet there are no indications that these may secrete into blood vessels in the median eminence. Some of the specialized cells lining the III ventricle (Types B and C') showed changes in relation to reproductive activity: No such changes were observed in Type C cells nor in the characteristic ependymal cells (Type A) found elsewhere. Studies on normal and experimental male and female monkeys showed that Type B tanycyte cells differed in males and females and altered during the menstrual cycle in the female. Following ovariectomy these cells showed regressive changes but returned to a normal appearance after a single injection of oestradiol. In view of the close spatial relationship of the tanycyte ependyma to cells of the pars tuberalis it was interesting to note that pars tuberalis cells also altered in relation to the menstrual cycle. The evidence presented accords with the view that certain cells which line the III ventricle of the brain and have prolongations extending to pituitary blood vessels, thus linking the cerebrospinal fluid and the blood system in the region of the pituitary, may play a role in the regulation of pituitary function and thereby constitute an important neuro-endocrine system.

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nebojsa Stojanovic ◽  
Ivica Stefanovic ◽  
Aleksandar Kostic ◽  
Radisav Mitic ◽  
Misa Radisavljevic ◽  
...  

Introduction. The forming of the blood vessels network configuration at the base of the brain and interconnecting of blood vessels during the embryogenesis is directly related to the phylogenetic development of the brain and brain structures. A blood vessel configuration at the brain base, in the form of a ring or a hexagon, stands in direct relation to the perfusion needs of certain parts of the brain during its primary differentiation. The aim of this paper was to determine the incidence of certain blood vessel configurations at the base of the brain and understanding their symmetry or asymmetry. Methods. Analysis of the blood vessels at the base of the brain was performed on the autopsied subjects. The object of observation was the anterior segment of the circle of Willis consisting of C1- a. carotis interna (ICA), above a. communicaus posterior (PcoA), the segment A1 a. cerebri anterior (ACA) from a. carotis interna bifurcation to the a. communicans anterior (AcoA) and a. communicans anterior itself, as well as the posterior segment consisting of PcoA and the segment P1 - a. cerebri posterior (PCA) from the a. basilaris bifurcation to the PcoA. For the purpose of grouping the findings, the four basic configuration types of the circle of Willis were identified based on its symmetry or asymmetry. Type-A (symmetric circle of Willis), type-B (asymmetric circle of Willis' due to the unilateral hypoplastic A1-ACA); type-C (symmetric circle of Willis with bilateral symmetric changes on PcoA) and type-D (asymmetric circle of Willis due to the asymmetric changes on PcoA). Results. Autopsy was performed on 56 corpses. A total of 41 (73.2%) subjects were recorded with a symmetric configuration of the circle of Willis', of which 27 (48.2%) subjects had type A and 14 (25%) type C. The asymmetric configuration was present in 15 (26.8%) subjects, of whom 9 (16%) had type B and 6 (10.8%) type D. The symmetric Willis group (73.2%) did not have a homogeneous finding that would fit into the schematic presentation of the symmetric type A and type C. A total of 17 (30.4%) findings were classified in this group of the so-called conditionally symmetric configurations. In all the cases, type B (16%) had unilaterally reduced diameter A1 and hyperplastic AcoA. Conclusion. The presence of asymmetric Willis configuration in 26.8% of the cases, which makes up more than one fourth, indicates that the asymmetric configurations do not represent a pathological form of connecting the blood vessels at the base of the brain, but rather one aspect of its adaptation. The forming of the basic types of configurations of the circle of Willis is associated with a tendency toward certain types of hemodynamic disorders and more frequent pathological changes in places of reduced resistance.


1994 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 666-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Baird

1. Hair cells in whole-mount in vitro preparations of the utricular macula of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) were selected according to their macular location and hair bundle morphology. The voltage responses of selected hair cells to intracellular current steps and sinusoids in the frequency range of 0.5-200 Hz were studied with conventional intracellular recordings. 2. The utricular macula is divided into medial and lateral parts by the striola, a 75- to 100-microns zone that runs for nearly the entire length of the sensory macula near its lateral border. The striola is distinguished from flanking extrastriolar regions by the elevated height of its apical surface and the wider spacing of its hair cells. A line dividing hair cells of opposing polarities, located near the lateral border of the striola, separates it into medial and lateral parts. On average, the striola consists of five to seven medial and two to three lateral rows of hair cells. 3. Utricular hair cells were classified into four types on the basis of hair bundle morphology. Type B cells, the predominant hair cell type in the utricular macula, are small cells with short sterocilia and kinocilia 2-6 times as long as their longest stereocilia. These hair cells were found throughout the extrastriola and, more rarely, in the striolar region. Three other hair cell types were restricted to the striolar region. Type C cells, found primarily in the outer striolar rows, resemble enlarged versions of Type B hair cells. Type F cells have kinocilia approximately equal in length to their longest stereocilia and are restricted to the middle striolar rows. Type E cells, found only in the innermost striolar rows, have short kinocilia with prominent kinociliary bulbs. 4. The resting potential of 99 hair cells was -58.0 +/- 7.6 (SD) mV and did not vary significantly for hair cells in differing macular locations or with differing hair bundle morphology. The RN of hair cells, measured from the voltage response to current steps, varied from 200 to > 2,000 M omega and was not well correlated with cell size. On average, Type B cells had the highest RN, followed by Type F, Type E, and Type C cells. When normalized to their surface area, the membrane resistance of hair cells ranged from < 1,000 to > 10,000 k omega.cm2. The input capacitance of hair cells ranged from < 3 to > 15 pA, corresponding on average to a membrane capacitance of 0.8 +/- 0.2 pA/cm2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 563-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda Giordano ◽  
Hideotoshi Takashima ◽  
Maciej Poltorak ◽  
Herbert M. Geller ◽  
William J. Freed

Rodent striatal cells were immortalized using the A58 temperature-sensitive allele of the SV40 large T antigen. Seventy-eight clones and 10 mixed cultures were characterized at the nonpermissive and permissive temperatures. Based on morphology and expression of proteins, cells were classified into three primary types, with types b and c expressing some neuronal characteristics. Type a cells have an epithelial-like morphology with coarse cytoplasmic extensions and occasional fine processes. These cells express vimentin, do not grow well under serum-free conditions and, when confluent, form a uniform monolayer. Type b cells have a polygonal shape and usually extend multiple thin processes. These cells possess large nuclei with multiple nucleoli and do not express vimentin. Type c cells have a fibroblast-like appearance, are unipolar or multipolar, and their soma is smaller than that of type b cells. Type c cells do not express vimentin, and when confluent form a uniform monolayer. Some type b and c clones express NCAM and MAP-2. Several type b and c cell lines were found to consistently express glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) immunoreactivity under several tissue culture conditions. Selected cell lines were transplanted into the intact adult rat brain in several locations. Cells survived well for 15 wk and did not form tumors. The proteins expressed in vivo were similar to those expressed in vitro.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Beltrán-Frutos ◽  
V. Seco-Rovira ◽  
J. Martínez-Hernández ◽  
C. Ferrer ◽  
L. M. Pastor

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes that occur in hamster Leydig cells during regression. Animals were divided into control, mild regression (MR), strong regression (SR) and total regression (TR) groups. Leydig cells were characterised by light and electron microscopy. Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP–digoxigenin nick end-labelling (TUNEL) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibodies were used to detect apoptosis and proliferation respectively. Three types of Leydig cells (A, B and C) could be differentiated. Type A cells were small in size compared with Leydig cells from animals exposed to a long photoperiod, which was a result of a decreased cytoplasm and nucleus. Type B cells were even smaller than Type A cells in regression groups. Type C exhibited cytoplasm vacuolisation. The percentage of Type C cells from the control group was much lower than in the MR, SR and TR groups. (P < 0.05). In the SR and TR groups, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of Type B cells compared with the control and MR groups (P < 0.05). The total number of Leydig cells decreased during testicular regression (P < 0.05). The total number of Type A and B cells was significantly lower in the MR, SR and TR groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the proliferation and apoptosis index in the groups studied. The findings of the present study indicate that there are three types of Leydig cells (A, B and C) in all hamsters studied and that regression causes an increase in the number of Type C cells, so that the reduction in the number Leydig cells during the phases of regression studied must be the result of necrosis and/or necroptosis.


1994 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 685-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Baird

1. Hair cells in whole-mount in vitro preparations of the utricular macula of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) were selected according to their macular location and hair bundle morphology. The sensitivity and response dynamics of selected hair cells to natural stimulation were examined by recording their voltage responses to step and sinusoidal hair bundle displacements applied to their longest stereocilia. 2. The voltage responses of 31 hair cells to sinusoidal hair bundle displacements were characterized by their gains and phases, taken with respect to peak hair bundle displacement. The gains of Type B and Type C cells at both 0.5 and 5.0 Hz were markedly lower than those of Type F and Type E cells. Phases, with the exception of Type C cells, lagged hair bundle displacement at 0.5 Hz. Type C cells had phase leads of 25-40 degrees. At 5.0 Hz, response phases in all cells were phase lagged with respect to those at 0.5 Hz. Type C cells had larger gains and smaller phase leads at 5.0 Hz than at 0.5 Hz, suggesting the presence of low-frequency adaptation. 3. Displacement-response curves, derived from the voltage responses to 5.0-Hz sinusoids, were sigmoidal in shape and asymmetrical, with the depolarizing response having a greater magnitude and saturating less abruptly than the hyperpolarizing response. When normalized to their largest displacement the linear ranges of these curves varied from < 0.5 to 1.25 microns and were largest in Type B and smallest in Type F and Type E cells. Sensitivity, defined as the slope of the normalized displacement-response curve, was inversely correlated with linear range. 4. The contribution of geometric factors associated with the hair bundle to linear range and sensitivity were predicted from realistic models of utricular hair bundles created using morphological data obtained from light and electron microscopy. Three factors, including 1) the inverse ratio of the lengths of the kinocilium and longest stereocilia, representing the lever arm between kinociliary and stereociliary displacement; 2) tip link extension/linear displacement, largely a function of stereociliary height and separation; and 3) stereociliary number, an estimate of the number of transduction channels, were considered in this analysis. The first of these factors was quantitatively more important than the latter two factors and their total contribution was largest in Type B and Type C cells. Theoretical models were also used to calculate the relation between rotary and linear displacement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


1983 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. P. Braidman ◽  
D. C. Anderson ◽  
C. J. P. Jones ◽  
J. B. Weiss

Bone cells released from perinatal rat calvaria by digestion with clostridial peptidase were separated into two distinct populations (designated types B and C) by equilibrium density centrifugation on a two-step gradient of Percoll. They were extensively characterized by light and electron microscopy and for behaviour in culture, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, collagenase secretion and adenylate cyclase response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin. Type C cells were predominantly large with up to seven nuclei and an unusual cytoplasmic appearance in cytocentrifuge preparations. They did not proliferate in culture and we have established culture conditions which prevented their overgrowth by contaminating proliferative cells. In culture these cells had low alkaline and high acid phosphatase and high aryl sulphatase activity, and synthesized little collagen. In contrast type B cells were mostly smaller and many had irregular cytoplasmic projections. In culture they became polygonal in shape, proliferated rapidly, and reached confluence in 4–5 days. These were low in aryl sulphatase and acid phosphatase, high in alkaline phosphatase activity, and synthesized labelled collagen actively with [3H]proline and ascorbic acid included in the culture medium. The two cell populations were found to differ in culture in two important further respects. First, the type C cells showed an adenylate cyclase response to calcitonin but not to PTH, while the converse was true for type B cells; this was so over at least a 20-fold range of isobutylmethyl xanthine concentration. Secondly, type C cells in culture secreted an active collagenolytic enzyme. Type B cells secreted much lower levels of a predominantly latent collagenase which required activation by mersalyl. Co-culture of type C and type B cells led to a marked reduction in the content of active collagenase in the culture medium.


1986 ◽  
Vol 390 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
J BACHEVALIER ◽  
L UNGERLEIDER ◽  
J BLANCHEONEILL ◽  
D FRIEDMAN

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Meredith ◽  
G Dudenhoeffer ◽  
K Jackson

In the present study, follicles were classified according to the morphology of their granulosa cells. Type B follicles contained only flattened granulosa cells; type B/C follicles had a mixture of flattened and cuboidal granulosa cells in a single layer, and type C follicles had a single layer of cuboidal granulosa cells. The primary objectives of the study were to determine whether 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation into type B/C follicles was a marker for initiation of growth and how long type B/C follicles could remain at the same stage before transformation to type C follicles. Female Holtzman rats received bromo-deoxyuridine for 7 days. After the infusion (day minipumps were removed = day 0), rats were ovariectomized on days 0 (n = 9), 30 (n = 8), 90 (n = 8) and 150 (n = 9). The numbers of type B, B/C and C follicles within one ovary were determined using modified fractionator counting. Analysis over all times demonstrated that there were more (P < 0.0001) type B/C (941 +/- 61 per ovary) than type C (140 +/- 18 per ovary) or type B (159 +/- 19 per ovary) follicles. The numbers of type B and type C follicles did not differ from each other at any time. Only one of 34 rats evaluated had bromo-deoxyuridine-labelled type B follicles. On day 150, 57% of the bromo-deoxyuridine-labelled type B/C follicles remained from day 0. It is concluded that (1) DNA synthesis in granulosa cells of type B/C follicles is not a reliable indicator of impending growth; and (2) type B and type B/C follicles are both components of the pool of primordial follicles.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii41-ii41
Author(s):  
Junjie Zhen ◽  
Lei Wen ◽  
Shaoqun Li ◽  
Mingyao Lai ◽  
Changguo Shan ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND According to EANO-ESMO clinical practice guidelines, the MRI findings of LM are divided into 4 types, namely linear enhancement (type A), nodular enhancement (type B), linear combined with nodular enhancement (type C), and sign of hydrocephalus (type D). METHODS The MRI features of brain and spinal cord in patients diagnosed with NSCLC-LM in Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from 2010 until 2019 were investigated, and then were classified into 4 types. The imaging features were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 80 patients were enrolled in the study. The median age of the patients was 53.5 years old, and the median time from the initial diagnosis to the confirmed diagnosis of LM was 11.6 months. The results of enhanced MRI examination of the brain in 79 cases showed that the number of cases with enhancements of type A, B, C and D were 50 (63.3%), 0, 26 (32.9%) and 3 (3.8%), respectively, and that LM with metastases to the brain parenchyma was found in 42 cases (53.2%). The results of enhanced MRI examination of spinal cord in 59 cases showed that there were only enhancements of type A and C in 40 cases (67.8%) and 3 cases (5.0%), and no enhancement sign in the other 16 cases (27.2%). CONCLUSION MRI examination of brain and spinal cord will improve the detection rate of LM. The MRI features of NSCLC-LM in real world are mainly characterized by the linear enhancements of brain and spinal cord, followed by linear combined with nodular enhancement. The enhancements of type B and type D are rare in clinic. Almost half of the patients have LM and metastases to the brain parenchyma. Therefore, the differentiation of tumor metastases is needed to be paid attention to for the early diagnosis and the formulation of reasonable treatment plans.


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