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D S Farner

Publications and source records attributed to D S Farner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The fine structure of the hypothalamic secretory neurons of the white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii (Passeriformes: Fringillidae). II. Magnocellular and parvocellular nuclei of the rostral hypothalamus.

The fine structures of the neurons and neuropils of the magnocellular supraoptic nucleus and the parvocellular nuclei of the rostral hypothalamus, including the suprachiasmatic and medial, lateral and periventricular preoptic nuclei, and the neuronal apparatus of the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, have been examined in the male White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii, by correlated light and electron microscopy. The magnocellular supraoptic nucleus is characterized by large neurosecretory perikarya which contain a well developed Golgi complex and dense-cored granules 1,500-2,200 A in diameter. The neuropil displays axons, dendrites and glial fibers. Some axonal profiles contain dense-cored vesicles 800-1,000 A in diameter and clear vesicles 500 A in diameter. Axo-somatic and axo-dendritic synapses are conspicuous in this nuclear region. The suprachiasmatic nucleus is characterized by an accumulation of small neurons with moderately developed cellular organelles and some dense-cored granules, approximately 1,000 A in diameter. The profiles of axons within the neuropil contain dense-cored granules 800-1,000 A in diameter and clear vesicles 500 A in diameter. The neurons of the medial preoptic nucleus are relatively large and exhibit well developed cellular organelles and dense-cored granules 1,300 to 1,500 A in diameter. Granular materials are formed within the Golgi complex. The medial preoptic nucleus is rich in secretory perikarya. Occasionally, neurons with granules 1,500-2,200 A in diameter are encountered in the lateral preoptic and periventricular preoptic nuclei. They may be considered as scattered elements of the magnocellular (supraoptic and paraventricular) system. The organum vasculosum laminae terminalis consists of three layers, i.e., ependymal, internal and external zones, and exhibits a vascular arrangement similar to that of the median eminence. The perikarya of the parvocellular neurons and their axons in the internal zone contain numerous secretory granules ranging from 1,300 to 1,500 A in diameter.

Animals↗

The fine structure of the hypothalamic secretory neurons of the white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii (Passeriformes: Fringillidae). I. Parvocellular tuberal nuclei.

The fine structure of the parvocellular tuberal nuclei and that of the ependyma bordering the third ventricle in the basal hypothalamus of the White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii, have been investigated. Photoperiodically stimulated birds have been compared with birds held on short days. The perikarya of the neurons of the basal infundibular (tuberal) nucleus, and in part, of the more dorsal layers, contain dense-cored granules (1000-1500 A). The granules in the anterior part of the nucleus are somewhat larger than those of the posterior part. The synapses and the synaptic relationships of these cells are described. The single-layered ependyma of the third ventricle in the basal hypothalamus may be divided into the dorsal typical ependyma, the ventrolateral "glandular" ependyma, and the ventral "glandular" ependyma. Cells of the ventral ependyma lack apical cilia but bear a few microvillous processes. They have well-developed Golgi apparatus, conspicuous polysomes, and frequently dense, irregularly-shaped granules. Basal cytoplasmic processes extend ventrally to the outer surface of the median eminence. Photoperiodic stimulation appears to increase the numbers of apical protrusions of the cells in the ventral glandular ependyma and to cause an increase in size of the nerve cells of the basal infundibular nucleus.

Animals↗

Light- and electron-microscopic studies on the secretory cytology of the adenohypophysis of the Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica.

The effects of thyroidectomy, adrenalectomy, and castration on the pars distalis of male Japanese quail, and of injection of LH-RH on sexually inactive females, were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Correlation between light and electron microscopy was attained by use of alternate thin and thick sections. Six types of secretory cells were identified and the ultrastructural characteristics described. Putative endocrine functions have been designated on the basis of responses to experimental interventions and on other criteria. The putative STH cells are characterized by the presence of large dense secretory granules (250-300 nm) that are stained with orange-G by the trichrome method. They occur only in the caudal lobe and appear to be unchanged by castration, thyroidectomy, adrenalectomy and LH-RH injection. The putative prolactin cells are characterized by large (400-600 nm), spherical or polmorphic, dense secretory granules stainable with acid fuchsin and aniline blue; prominent Golgi apparatus and well developed endoplasmic reticulum with densely packed, regularly parallel lamellae. They are found mainly in the cephalic lobe. The prolactin cells develop some vacuolization after adrenalectomy and undergo some degeneration after castration. The ACTH cells, which are restricted to the cephalic lobe, are identified by the dense, spherical granules (250-300 nm) that are stained with acid fuchsin. After adrenalectomy, they lose their secretory granules and are transformed into large, chromophobic adrenalectomy cells. TSH cells are so designated by their response to thyroidectomy including loss of their fine secretory granules and transformation to large, vacuolated thyroidectomy cells. We have found TSH cells and thyroidectomy cells only in the cephalic lobe. Basophilic cells, considered to be gonadotropes, occur in both the cephalic and caudal lobes. The gonadotropes of the cephalic lobe appear to have slightly larger (120-200 nm) granules than the caudal lobe (120-150 nm). However, after castration, the gonadotropes in both lobes become hypertrophied and vacuolated and are transformed into mutually indistinguishable castration cells. Twenty minutes after injection with LH-RH, the gonadotropes of both lobes increase in size and number, degranulate, develop vacuoles in the cytoplasm, and appear very similar to castration cells.

Adrenalectomy↗

The determination of five steroids in avian plasma by radioimmunoassay and competitive protein-binding.

A method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of testosterone, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and corticosterone, or of estrone, estradiol-17beta and corticosterone, after separation on a Celite:propylene glycol:ethylene glycol column (6:1.5:1.5 w/v/v). The lower quarter of the column was packed with a Celite: water mixture (3:1 w/v) as a stationary phase (glycol) 'trap'. This effectively prevented leaching of the glycols into the eluate as the concentration of ethyl acetate in the mobile phase was increased to elute the more polar steroids. In addition, a second system utilizing a Celite: ethylene glycol column (2:1 w/v) for the separation of estrone and estradiol-17beta is described. Testosterone, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, estrone and estradiol-17beta were measured by radioimmunoassay and corticosterone by a competitive protein-binding technique. Reliability criteria are presented showing that the assay systems used are accurate and reproducible. Plasma-steroid levels of eight avian species are also presented and compared with those found by other investigators.

Animals↗

Circadian function in the photoperiodic induction of gonadotropin secretion in the white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii.

Photosensitive White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) previously maintained on short day lengths (8-hr light; 16-hr darkness) were transferred to complete darkness. At various intervals thereafter (2-100 hr) they were exposed to a single 8-hr light period. To determine if the light period had been inductive, plasma luteinizing-hormone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay in blood samples taken before and after the light period. Inductive light periods recurred at approximately daily intervals. The data provide further evidence for the involvement of a circadian rhythm in time measurement in the photoperiodic responses of birds.

Animals↗