Control of the pars intermedia of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis. III. Changes in the ultrastructure of the disconnected neuro-intermediate lobe.

Morphological changes in the disconnected neuro-intermediate lobe were studied in the lizard, Anolis carolinensis from the 2nd to the 14th post-operative day using a threefold aldehyde fixative (Rodríguez, 1969). Two phases of colour change capacity were exhibited: Phase I started immediately after the transection, lasted for 6 days (mean) and was characterised by an excessive MSH release (brown skin). This phase proceeded gradually into Phase II, designated by an interruption by the MSH release (green skin). The degenerative processes and final elimination of neurons in the disconnected neural lobe propagate in a rostro-caudal direction from the transected area. The aminergic fibres (Type II) disappear within 2 days postoperatively, whereas the degeneration continues for more than 10 days in the peptidergic fibres (Type III, IV and V). The glia cells (ependyma and pituicytes) serve as very active macrophages, engulfing fragments of axons already affected by autolysis and transferring them into glial lysosomes. No apparent morphological changes occur in the shift from Phase I to II. The great majority of the secretory cells of the intermediate lobe are not affected by degenerative processes and appear to be markedly activated by the stalk transection. They exhibit numerous mitochondria, well-developed Golgi complexes forming numerous Golgi vesicles and extensive parallel cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, sometimes forming large intracisternal droplets (7 micron in diameter). Numerous pale vacuoles are seen, especially toward the intact capillaries, suggesting their coupling to the MSH release by extension of the active membrane area toward the perivascular septum. The number of these vacuoles is very markedly reduced in Phase II (no release), whereas the formation of new granules seems to proceed in early stages. The interruption of the MSH release implies a successive refilling of gradually growing secretory granules and a concomitant reduction in the development of the synthetic apparatus. Mechanisms probably involved in the control of the synthesis and release of MSH are discussed.