Morphology of the pineal complex of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L.

The pineal complex of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L., has been examined by light and electron microscopy. It consists of two subunits: a dorsomedial pineal organ, and a ventral, left-lateral parapineal organ, with both remaining cytologically unaltered throughout the life cycle. However, during metamorphosis there is an increase in the size and a rostral migration of the parapineal organ and a dorsolateral displacement of the pineal nerve tract. The pineal organ is composed of an end bulb, an atrium, and a nerve tract. Two varieties of photoreceptors, termed type I and type II cells, as well as supporting and ganglion cells are present. Supporting cells are ubiquitous, but there are regional variations in the distribution and abundance of the other cell types. Type I cells are a well-differentiated photoreceptor. Conversely, type II cells exhibit a poorly developed photosensory apparatus but possess some features commensurate with an endocrine activity. The parapineal organ is composed of an end bulb, a ganglion region, and a nerve tract. The end bulb is dominated by type II photoreceptor and supporting cells, whereas type I and ganglion cells are sparse. The parapineal ganglion and nerve tract include neuropil, polymorphic neurons, and ependymal cells. It is concluded that the pineal organ of P. marinus is a structurally well-developed photosensory and photoneuroendocrine organ that is probably capable of transducing photic stimuli into nervous and endocrine messages to the brain and other organs. In contrast, the parapineal of this lamprey species is a poorly developed organ of regressed or rudimentary structure.