Relationships between the tubular system in the globules of the coronet cells of the saccus vasculosus and the cerebrospinal fluid in Gasterosteus aculeatus form leiurus (Teleostei).

In the stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, the globules of the coronet cells in the saccus vasculosus contain a tubular system that most probably communicates permanently with the lumen of the saccus. Only very few openings were found in random ultrathin sections. Injecting peroxidase into the cerebrospinal fluid revealed the communication between this tubular system and the cerebrospinal fluid. As early a 1 h after peroxidase injection the tracer was detected in the tubular system. This system increases the potential exchange surface between the coronet cells and the content of the saccular lumen, and may also facilitate the access of components of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), even of high molecular weight, into the globules. It remains to be determined whether the intratubular condensations (granules) are, as often believed, of secretory origin or are formed by accumulation of components of the CSF.