Catecholamine release by catecholamines in the eel does not require the presence of brain or anterior spinal cord.
The catecholamine-producing chromaffin cells of the American eel are strongly innervated by fibers, which, by ultrastructural criteria, seem to be cholinergic. However, neither removal of the brain nor removal of the brain combined with extirpation of the anterior spinal cord prevents the release of catecholamines into the circulation by catecholamines. It appears that the chromaffin cells are controlled by both nervous and humoral stimuli, and that at least some of the latter do not require the presence of "preganglionic" innervation.
Hathaway
C B
CB
Daniel Baugh Institute of Anatomy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.
Brinn
J E
JE
Epple
A
A
D000811:Anguilla / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002837:Chromaffin Granules / Q000502:physiology; D002838:Chromaffin System / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*
D002395:Catecholamines