Pineal gland of a nocturnal bird, Indian spotted owlet,Athene brama: Morphological and endocrine observations

Haldar, Chandana; Guchhait, Prasenjit

doi:10.1002/1097-010x(20000701)287:2<145::aid-jez4>3.0.co;2-k

Cited by 11 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Their results show prominent interspecies differences in the morphological characteristics of rudimentary–receptor pinealocytes, which are the predominating cell type of the photoreceptory line in the pineals of the domestic birds. Ultrastructure of the pineal organs in free‐living birds was infrequently investigated, with an exception for some tropical species (Haldar and Guchait, 2000; Haldar and Bishnupuri, 2001). The studies of tropical birds demonstrated common features in the morphology of the pineal organ of birds living in the same habitat (Haldar and Bishnupuri, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological Studies of the Pineal Gland in the Common Gull (Larus canus) Reveal Uncommon Features of Pinealocytes

Przybylska‐Gornowicz

Lewczuk

Prusik

et al. 2012

The Anatomical Record

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The avian pineal is a directly photosensory organ taking part in the organization of the circadian and seasonal rhythms. It plays an important role in regulation of many behavior and physiological phenomena including migration. The aim of the study was to investigate morphology of the pineal organ in the common gull (Larus canus). The light and electron microscopic studies were performed on the pineals of juvenile birds living in natural conditions of the Baltic Sea coast, which have been untreatably injured during strong storms in autumn and qualified for euthanasia. The investigated pineals consisted of a wide, triangular, superficially localized distal part and a narrow, elongated proximal part, attached via the choroid plexus to the intercommissural region of the diencephalon. The accessory pineal tissue was localized caudally to the choroid plexus. Based on the histological criteria, the organ was classified as the solid-follicular type. Two types of cells of fotoreceptory line were distinguished: rudimentary-receptor pinealocytes and secretory pinealocytes. Both types of cells were characterized by unusual features, which have been not previously described in avian pinealocytes: the presence of paracrystalline structures in the basal processes and their endings, the storage of glycogen in the form of large accumulations and the arrangement of mitochondria in clusters. Further studies on other species of wild water birds dwelling in condition of cold seas are necessary to explain if the described features of pinealocytes are specific for genus Larus, family Laridae or a larger group of water birds living in similar environmental conditions. Anat Rec,

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological Studies of the Pineal Gland in the Common Gull (Larus canus) Reveal Uncommon Features of Pinealocytes

Przybylska‐Gornowicz

Lewczuk

Prusik

et al. 2012

The Anatomical Record

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“…1C, arrowhead), as noted extensively in diurnal birds (Ueck, 1973;Haldar and Ghosh, 1991). The adjoining mid-sagittal and lateral veins as well as the presence of blood vessels in distal and proximal regions exhibited the high vascularization phenomenon of the gland in spotted owlet (Haldar and Guchchait, 2000), suggesting a possible route for secretory efflux like in diurnal birds (Quay, 1965;Quay and Renzoni, 1967) and unlike the report of Taniguchi et al (1993) for owl S. uralensis.…”

Section: Nocturnal Bird Indian Spotted Owlet Athene Bramamentioning

confidence: 87%

“…Taniguchi et al (1993) for the first time reported a very small pineal gland with a poor system of tubules and follicles without a vascular network in a nocturnal bird of temperate origin, i.e., owl, Strix uralensis. However, Haldar and Guchchait (2000) reported a well-developed pineal gland in a nocturnal bird of tropical origin, the spotted owlet Athene brama (Order, Strigiformes). According to the hypothesis of Studnicka (1905), we classified the pineal gland of spotted owlet as a solid follicular transitional type (an intermediate between tubulofollicular and solid lobular type).…”

Section: Nocturnal Bird Indian Spotted Owlet Athene Bramamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our interest regarding the existence of pineal gland in a nocturnal bird was aroused following the reports of Taniguchi et al (1993) and Haldar and Guchchait (2000), in addition to our ongoing work with diurnal birds. We think there are many avian species of different geographical zones that need to be studied for the existence and functional significance of the pineal gland.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparative view of pineal gland morphology of nocturnal and diurnal birds of tropical origin

Haldar

Bishnupuri

2001

Microscopy Res & Technique

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Although having a similar developmental pattern, the pineal gland of tropical birds varies in shape, size, and morphology, probably more than any other part of the avian brain. Following the old classification, we noted a solid follicular (transitional) type of the pineal gland in the nocturnal bird Athene brama, and a tubulo-follicular and elongated tubular types of pineal gland in diurnal birds Perdicula asiatica and Euroloncha punchulata, respectively. Detailed light (LM) and electron microscopic (EM) studies of the pineal gland from these tropical birds revealed the presence of a well-developed, functionally active gland in nocturnal birds (contrary to reports available until now). Unlike diurnal birds, the nocturnal bird A. brama has no deep pineal in the posterior region (near the habenular commissure). It could be that the deep encephalic receptors have no/fewer functions in nocturnal birds. At present, we were unable to define the significance of deep pineal in these tropical avian species. A notable difference in the proximodistal orientation of intrapineal follicles and parenchymatous cells was noted among these birds due to different habitats. Ultrastructurally, the pinealocytes exhibited great similarities in terms of secretory organelles, except for the presence of some peculiar membranous structure in E. punchulata. The pinealocytes have rudimentary photoreceptive features (e.g., outer segment) along with cytoplasmic organelles for secretory activity, suggesting both photosensory and photosecretory types of function. The present study also suggests more heterogenicity in pineal gland morphology (cellular architecture) among diurnal birds than the nocturnal one.

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“…3). Furthermore, although it has been reported that owls do not have a pineal gland, nocturnal Indian spotted owlets (Athene brama) possess a large pineal gland with defined secretory activity (Haldar and Guchhait 2000).…”

Section: Nocturnal Animals Have Reduced or Absent Pineal Glandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Melatonin and thermoregulation in ectothermic vertebrates: a review

Lutterschmidt¹,

Lutterschmidt²,

Hutchison³

2003

Can. J. Zool.

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Precise behavioral thermoregulation is well documented in many ectothermic vertebrates. However, many complexities involving the influence of the pineal gland and melatonin (MEL) on thermoregulatory behavior, and thus body temperature (T b ), remain unresolved. Although MEL is commonly considered to decrease T b in both endotherms and ectotherms, several ectothermic species do not modulate T b in response to MEL. Furthermore, it is not yet clear how MEL integrates thermoregulatory behavior with environmental stimuli or how it modulates T b . Some inferences about MEL action in endotherms are not applicable to ectotherms. Changes in ectothermic T b are mediated primarily through behavioral modulation (not physiological modulation as in endotherms). Thus, the most likely mechanism underlying MEL's actions on ectothermic T b is adjustment of the temperature set point in the hypothalamus. We provide a review of the literature addressing the effects of MEL on thermoregulatory behavior in ectothermic vertebrates. We also discuss mechanisms underlying MEL's influence on physiological and behavioral processes in ectotherms and hypotheses regarding interspecific differences in pineal complex and MEL function.Résumé : La thermorégulation comportementale chez les vertébrés ectothermes est un phénomène bien connu. Cependant, des relations complexes concernant l'influence de la glande pinéale et de la mélatonine (MEL) sur le comportement thermorégulateur et, par conséquent, sur la température du corps (T b ), restent à préciser. Bien que MEL soit souvent considérée comme facteur de chute de la température T b , aussi bien chez les endothermes que chez les ectothermes, plusieurs espèces ectothermes ne modifient pas leur température T b en réaction à MEL. De plus, il reste encore à établir comment la mélatonine intègre le comportement thermorégulateur et les stimulus environnementaux et comment elle cause des modulations de la température T b . Certaines conclusions au sujet de l'action de MEL chez les endothermes ne se vérifient pas chez les ectothermes. Les modulations de la température T b chez les ectothernes sont comportementales (pas physiologiques comme chez les endothermes). Le mécanisme qui est le plus susceptible de contrôler l'action de MEL sur la température T b ectothermique consiste donc en un ajustement du réglage de la tempéra-ture dans l'hypothalamus. Nous proposons ici une revue de la littérature sur les effets de MEL sur le comportement themorégulateur des vertébrés ectothermes. Nous examinons les mécanismes qui peuvent être sous-jacents à l'influence qu'exerce MEL sur les processus physiologiques et comportementaux des vertébrés ectothermes et nous discutons des hypothèses expliquant les différences interspécifiques dans le fonctionnement de la glande pinéale et de MEL.[Traduit par la Rédaction] 13 Lutterschmidt et al.

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Pineal gland of a nocturnal bird, Indian spotted owlet,Athene brama: Morphological and endocrine observations

Cited by 11 publications

References 9 publications

Morphological Studies of the Pineal Gland in the Common Gull (Larus canus) Reveal Uncommon Features of Pinealocytes

Morphological Studies of the Pineal Gland in the Common Gull (Larus canus) Reveal Uncommon Features of Pinealocytes

Comparative view of pineal gland morphology of nocturnal and diurnal birds of tropical origin

Melatonin and thermoregulation in ectothermic vertebrates: a review

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