The ultrastructure of the thyroid parafollicular cells of the marmot (Marmota marmota). Immunocytochemical localization of calcitonin and somatostatin.

We studied the topographical and ultrastructural characteristics of the parafollicular cells in the Marmota marmota and their seasonal changes. The parafollicular cells, together with the follicular cells, form the follicular epithelium occupying a peculiar basal position. Furthermore these cells are characterized by a clear cytoplasmic matrix and well developed cytoplasmic organelles. The latter synthesize and condense the secretory product which ultrastructurally is organized in secretory granule-vesicles with a scarcely electron-dense cottony content. Histochemically the secretion consists in a proteic complex (rich in alpha-amino acids and sulphonate proteins) with a minor glucidic component. The above metabolic activity closely relates with the seasonal metabolic changes and namely with calcium metabolism. The immunocytochemical reactions revealed the presence of calcitonin and, to a lesser extent, somatostatin. The morphological findings were compared with those observed in other hibernating mammalians and related to the calcium homeostasis.