ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Pars intermedia
;
Rat
;
Porphyrins
;
Microspectrofluorometry
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Cells emitting orange-red autofluorescence have been found in the pars intermedia of aging rats. The fluorescence maximum of the emission is localized in an area of the spectrum where the most intense band maxima of porphyrins are located. The fluorescence fades when the excitation wavelength is about 400 nm, which is specific (Soret band) for the absorption spectra of porphyrins. The fluorescence is emitted by coarse inclusions in the cytoplasm of a few cells. These inclusions are also stainable with paraldehyde-fuchsin and exibit a high endogenous peroxidase activity. The inclusions observed have morphologic features similar to those of porphyrin-containing astrocytes from the periventricular area of the hypothalamus. The inclusion-bearing cells of the pars intermedia also contain debris that might be due to the phagocytic activity of these cells.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00213785
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