The ultrastructure of pinealocytes in the golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus) with special reference to the granular vesicles.

The ultrastructure of the pinealocytes of the golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus), a blind subterranean mammal living in complete darkness, was examined and compared with that of pinealocytes of other mammals. On the basis of the presence of granular vesicles and glycogen granules, only one population of pinealocytes was found. Large mitochondria, ribosomes, lipid inclusions and scarce lysosomes were observed in the perikaryon. Numerous glycogen granules, often forming typical accumulations, were frequently found to be associated with typical vacuoles. An extraordinary large number of granular vesicles is characteristic of the golden mole pinealocyte. Phenomena of excretion of compound(s) stored in the granular vesicles were identified. Morphologically this is characterized by dissociation of its granular core in situ while its limiting membrane is preserved. The physiological significance of the secretory process characterized by the formation of these granular vesicles is discussed.