The role of mast cells in the development of adrenergic innervation in the rat iris.
In the rat iris, during the development of the adrenergic ground plexus, intensely fluorescent mast cells, not observable after maturation of the same, could be revealed with the Falck technique. According to the electron microscopic investigations the mast cells are in close connection with the developing nerve fibres and Schwann cells in the early stage of postnatal life. On the basis of signs suggesting degranulation it is concluded that the mast cells can play a role in the regulation of the development of innervation by means of substances released from their granules.
D000320:Adrenergic Fibers / Q000254:growth & development*; D000818:Animals; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D007498:Iris / Q000294:innervation*; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats / Q000033:anatomy & histology*