Abstract
DURING an investigation of the influence of increased functional activity on the ribonueleic acid in neurosecretory cells of the supra-optic nucleus of the rat, an observation of more general interest was made. The amount of ribonueleic acid in the cell bodies was measured microchemically1 and the volumes of their nucleoli were determined on stained slides. Cells from control animals were investigated as well as from animals that had been subjected to administration of sodium chloride for two months. Apart from the finding that increased functional load (increased hormone production) gives rise to statistically significant increases in amounts of ribonucleic acid and nucleolar volumes, it was found that the ribonucleic acid content per cell body was directly proportional to the nucleolar volume (Fig. 1). The ribonucleic acid content per cell body nearly equals that of the cytoplasm in these cells, so it is apparent that there is a proportionality between nucleolar volume and cytoplasmatic content of ribonucleic acid. On the other hand, it can be shown that it is unlikely that proportionality between nucleolar volume and nucleolar amount of ribonucleic acid should exist as well as proportionality between nucleolar and cytoplasmatic amounts of ribonucleic acid.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Edström, J.-E., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 12, 361 (1953).
LaVelle, A., J. Comp. Neurol., 104, 175 (1956).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
EDSTRÖM, JE., EICHNER, D. Relation between Nucleolar Volume and Cell Body Content of Ribonucleic Acid in Supra-optic Neurones. Nature 181, 619 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1038/181619a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/181619a0
This article is cited by
-
Oxytocinergic neurosecretory system in genetically selected rats differing in emotionality. A morphometric investigation
Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology (1995)
-
Characteristics of neurosecretory centers of the hypothalamus of rats which are associated with regulation of the function of the adrenal cortex
Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology (1988)
-
Effects of Diamorphine on Various Neurones in the Rat Central Nervous System
Nature New Biology (1973)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.