| Morphological and biochemical study of the pineal gland of pregnant and non-pregnant female vizcachas (Lagostomus maximus maximus). | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 16264398 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVES: The morphological and biochemical aspects of the pineal gland of pregnant and non-pregnant female vizcachas were investigated to examine whether there is a relationship between the pregnancy and this gland. METHODS: Pregnant and non-pregnant adult female vizcachas were used. The ultrastructure of type I cell (dark and light pinealocytes) was studied. Pineal and serum melatonin were investigated by radioimmunoassay. Radiometric methods were applied to investigate the arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) activities. RESULTS: The morphological study showed the existence of dark and light pinealocytes. The differences between both cells are slight. However, the appearance of dark pinealocytes suggests that they have a high activity. These cells were more abundant in the pineal gland of pregnant females. The pineal melatonin levels and the AA-NAT activity were higher in the pregnant females. Serum melatonin and HIOMT activity did not show significant differences. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the morphological and biochemical changes in the pineal gland of pregnant vizcachas are associated with the gestation. However, the relation between the pineal gland and the pregnancy is complex and further studies are necessaries to clearly establish it. |
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Authors:
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Esteban Gil; Claudia Calderón; Lilian Pelzer; Susana Domínguez; Teresa Fogal; Luis Scardapane; Ramón S Piezzi |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Neuro endocrinology letters Volume: 26 ISSN: 0172-780X ISO Abbreviation: Neuro Endocrinol. Lett. Publication Date: 2005 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2005-12-16 Completed Date: 2006-03-17 Revised Date: 2007-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8008373 Medline TA: Neuro Endocrinol Lett Country: Sweden |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 575-80 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Area de Morfología, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina. estebang@unsl.edu.ar |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase
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metabolism Animals Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase / metabolism Female Melatonin / blood Microscopy, Electron Pineal Gland / metabolism*, physiology*, ultrastructure Pregnancy Pregnancy, Animal / metabolism*, physiology* Rabbits Radioimmunoassay |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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73-31-4/Melatonin; EC 2.1.1.4/Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase; EC 2.3.1.87/Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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