Visualization of secretory activities in the Xenopus neurohypophysis by a high S/N video camera.
The optical turbidity of neurohypophyses of the frog Xenopus laevis was observed with the help of a high signal to noise ratio video camera and a high speed image processor. Electrical stimulation of the pituitary stalk induced a decrease in turbidity of the neurohypophysis. This response was visualized on a monitor screen as a diffuse pattern consisting of many bright spots. The diameters of these spots were similar to those of individual nerve terminals, indicating that the optical response arises from a structural change in individual nerve terminals upon secretory activation.
Department of Cell Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.
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Terakawa
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Nagano
D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014741:Video Recording / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000502:physiology*