Summary
Lateral-line sensory cells of Xenopus show considerable similarity to central nervous system synapses in their responses to the zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide, and bismuth-iodide cytochemical staining techniques. Both reserpine and FLA-63 cause a reduction in the diameter and electron density of the synaptic bars, and a dramatic loss of synaptic vesicles surrounding the bars. Aminooxy acetic acid and 3-mercaptopropionic acid cause no significant changes in the sensory-cell afferent synaptic apparatus. The results are discussed in the light of the known effects of the drugs. It is concluded that a monoamine rather than an amino acid may act as the afferent transmitter.
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I should like to thank Dr. M.P. Osborne for his invaluable guidance, Mrs. J. Grainger for her technical assistance, and Astra, Sweden for supplies of FLA-63.
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Monaghan, P. Ultrastructural and pharmacological studies on the afferent synapse of lateral-line sensory cells of the African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis . Cell Tissue Res. 163, 239–247 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221730
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221730