Circadian changes in synaptic ribbons and spherules in pinealocytes of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).
In the present study, "synaptic" ribbons were studied morphologically and quantitatively in hamster pineal gland. The number of ribbons and spherules of hamster pinealocytes was counted over a 24-h period. The 24-h variations in the quantity of "synaptic" ribbons were found to parallel fluctuations in pineal melatonin concentrations. No significant circadian changes were observed for "synaptic" spherules, indicating different roles for these two structures.
Díaz
C
C
Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina y Biología, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain.
Alvarez-Uría
M
M
Tolivia
J
J
López
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006224:Cricetinae; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D015388:Organelles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013569:Synapses / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D008550:Melatonin