ABSTRACT
A functional aspect of the carbohydrate complex of the statoconial membrane of the guinea pig utricular macula was observed by the use of the lectins as well as the ruthenium red staining techniques. The ruthenium red staining technique visualized the whole structure of the statoconial membrane as well as the contact zone between the sensory epithelium and the statoconial membrane. The statoconial membrane is composed of the otoconial layer, gelatinous layer, and subcupular meshwork. The otoconial layer was interconnected with sensory epithelium by the gelatinous layer and subcupular meshwork which formed honeycomb structure and housed the sensory hair bundle. This may allow the free movement of the sensory hair bundle. The gelatinous layer and the subcupular meshwork contain N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, and galactose which form acidic mucopolysaccharide and glycoprotein. It has been indicated that these carbohydrate complex may play an important role for the mechanical coupling not only between the statoconial membrane and the sensory epithelium but also between the sensory hair bundle and the statoconial membrane.
Subject(s)
Acoustic Maculae/ultrastructure , Glycoproteins/analysis , Glycosaminoglycans/analysis , Otolithic Membrane/ultrastructure , Saccule and Utricle/ultrastructure , Acoustic Maculae/analysis , Animals , Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate , Fluoresceins , Glycoproteins/physiology , Glycosaminoglycans/physiology , Guinea Pigs , Hair Cells, Auditory/cytology , Hair Cells, Auditory/ultrastructure , Lectins , Microscopy, Electron , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Otolithic Membrane/analysis , Ruthenium Red , ThiocyanatesABSTRACT
The neuropeptides Substance P, beta-Endorphin, Prolactin, Cholecystokinin, and Glucagon were investigated by means of Sternbergers PAP technique in the neuroepithelium of the Maculae utriculi and sacculi of the labyrinth of newborn guinea pigs. This brief report will show the localization of some neuropeptides in the neuroepithelium of the Maculae utriculi and sacculi. We could not find information about similar studies on this topic in the literature. In connection with investigations of the sensory apparatus of the inner ear we have recently presented neuropeptides evidence for the presence of certain peptides in the Ggl. spirale and the hair cells of the organ of Corti. With this paper we continue to report on neuropeptides in the labyrinth of the juvenile guinea pig as revealed by immunohistochemistry (Nowak et al., in press).
Subject(s)
Acoustic Maculae/analysis , Nerve Tissue Proteins/analysis , Saccule and Utricle/analysis , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Cholecystokinin/analysis , Endorphins/analysis , Glucagon/analysis , Guinea Pigs , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Prolactin/analysis , Substance P/analysis , beta-EndorphinABSTRACT
In the course of evolution of the invertebrate gravity receptor endogenous intracellular mode of the otoliths formation (Coelenterata, Ctenophora) is changed for endogenous extracellular mode (Mollusca, Arthropoda). The intracellular otolith is represented by cristalline concretions whereas extracellular one may consists of many separate crystallic otoconia or one large spherolith. As a rule in all cases qualitative mineral composition is similar. Calcium is the main component of the otolith in invertebrates (as vertebrates) though magnesium, sodium and potassium also take place in the otolith formation.
