Neural elements in the pineal complex of the frog, rana esculenta, i : Centrally projecting neurons

• The pineal complex of anuran amphibians is a directly photosensory organ, encompassing both an extracranial portion, the frontal organ, and an intracranial portion, the pineal organ proper. The projection neurons of the frontal organ respond differentially according to the wavelengths of the light stimuli. The pineal organ, on the other hand, functions mainly as a luminosity meter. Most of its centrally projecting neurons respond to all increases in ambient illumination with decreases in spontaneous firing of action potentials, although some neural units in the pineal organ may respond according to wavelength. This difference in responses to light stimulation may be reflected in the neural organization of the two parts of the pineal complex. In the present study, we have analyzed the morphology of the projection neurons of the frontal and pineal organs of the frog, Rana esculenta, by backfilling of the neurons with horseradish peroxidase through their cut axons. In the pineal organ, several types of centrally projecting neurons were observed: peripherally situated unipolar and multipolar neurons, the dendrites of which extend into a superficial axon plexus that surrounds the pineal epithelium; smaller unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar neurons situated close to the central pineal tract; and radially oriented bipolar neurons, with short dendritic processes oriented towards the lumen of the pineal organ. This latter type was strongly reminiscent of photoreceptor cells. The centrally projecting neurons of the frontal organ were multipolar, and situated in the ventral part of the organ. One photoreceptor-like bipolar neuron was observed in one frontal organ. The neurons of the frontal organ did not form a superficial plexus of neurites. This difference may relate to the different ratio of chromaticity/luminosity units in the frontal and pineal organs.

Keyword

Horseradish peroxidase

Pineal complex

Projection neurons

Rana esculenta (Amphibia)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)