Effect of vagus nerve stimulation on the secretory-granule volume of the principal cells of the mouse gallbladder epithelium.
Experiments in mice were performed in order to investigate whether vagal activity could affect glycoprotein secretion from gallbladder principal cells. This cell type was studied with the electron microscope in control animals and after electric stimulation of the right or left nervus vagus. The volume density of glycoprotein containing granules was determined using morphometry. It was found that stimulation of the left vagus nerve significantly reduced the relative cellular volume of secretory granules in the principal cells of the gallbladder. Right vagus stimulation was accompanied by a weak but insignificant increase in secretory granule content. It is suggested that the left vagus nerve may exert a direct influence on glycoprotein secretion from gallbladder principal cells.
D000818:Animals; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*
D006023:Glycoproteins