The pineal gland of the mole (Talpa europaea L.). II. Ultrastructural variations observed in the pinealocytes during different parts of the sexual cycle.

Changes of some ultrastructural parameters (paracrystalline structures, Golgi apparatus, secretory granules) in mole pinealocytes were quantitatively studied during the various phases of the sexual cycle. An increase in quantity of paracrystalline structures and of the Golgi appratuses was demonstrated during the period of high sexual activity in male pinealocytes and during oestrus, gestation and lactation in female pinealocytes. Moreover, the appearance of vacuoles in female pinealocytes was observed during pro-oestrus. These results seemto demonstrate close relationship between the endocrine activity of the hypophyseo-gonadal axis and the synthesis of some compounds by the pinealocytes. No increase in the quantity of secretory granules was observed during the various phases of the sexual cycle studied. Key words: pinealocytes, mole, sexual cycle, ultrastructure, paracrystalline structure.