Immunohistochemical localization of serotonin in the pineal gland of the chicken during post-hatching development in relation to light-dark cycle.
In the present immunohistochemical study using an antiserum against serotonin, the localization of serotonin was demonstrated in the pineal gland of the chickens from 1 day to 3 years of age. Serotonin-like immunoreactivity was located in the supranuclear region of the follicular cells and in the perikaryon of the parafollicular cells in the pineal gland, exhibiting distinct changes during post-hatching development. The reactivity reached its peak in 1-year-old chicken. Moreover, diurnal changes in immunoreactivity also existed after 1 day of age, being high in the light period and low in the dark period. Occasionally in 1-3-year-old chickens, a part of granular-shaped reactive products observed in the light period appear to be diffused in the cytoplasm in the dark period. In addition, a number of immunoreactive fibers were shown in the pineal parenchyma, exhibiting a slight increase in number and in reactivity at 40 days of age.
Ohshima
K
K
Laboratory of Functional Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Ina, Japan.
Matsuo
S
S
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000737:chemistry*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis*
D012701:Serotonin