Holger Jastrow1, Dirk Schmanke2, Jörg Weinert3, Udo Jendrysiak1 and Lutz Vollrath1
1 Anatomisches
Institut, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Becherweg 13, D-55128
Mainz,
2 Zentrum für
Datenverarbeitung, J. Gutenberg-Universität, Bentzelweg 12, D-55128
Mainz,
3 Institut für Medizinische Statistik
und Dokumentation (IMSD), J. Gutenberg-Universität, Obere Zahlbacher
Str. 69, D-55101 Mainz
In vertebrates, synaptic bodies (SBs) are conspicuous synaptic organelles
of afferent synapses of retina, inner ear, lateral line organ and pineal
gland. In electron microscopic sections they are electron-dense organelles
surrounded by electron-lucent vesicles. Ribbon- or rod-like profiles (width:
30 - 40 nm; length: 150 - 200 nm) can be distinguished from round ones
(diameter >70 nm) and rare irregular profiles (Vollrath '81; Mc Nulty '92).
It was the aim of this investigation to reconstruct the structure of pineal
SBs in different vertebrates in three dimensions to draw conclusions of
their general appearance.
Pineal tissue of guinea-pig, rat and chicken was examined. Transmission
electron microscope photos from up to 27 serial sections with a known distance
(50nm) of groups of SBs were scanned and processed (controlled superimposition
of corresponding organelles from adjacent sections, involving rotation
and shifting of the scanned image) by a self - written programme in Interactive
Data Language (IDL®).
The resulting 3D-array was further processed by NeurOPS (neurosurgical
operation-planning and simulation software developed at the IMSD) allowing
3D visualisation of SBs. The three-dimensional images were printed from
different angles to elucidate the appearance of SBs in space. It was found
that in general most SBs were plates, sometimes curved, with irregular
edges. The quantity of other SBs (spheres, ovoid or irregular structures)
varied depending on the species and experimental conditions.
The presently used method to evaluate scanned photographs can be used
for producing 3D- reconstructions from serial images in general.
References:
McNulty JA, Fox L. Pinealocyte synaptic ribbons and neuroendocrine
function. Microsc Res Tech 21, 1992
Vollrath L. The pineal organ. In: Oksche A and Vollrath L (eds) Handbuch
der mikroskopischen Anatomie des Menschen, Springer, 1981