P. Braunig et al., MORPHOLOGY OF LOCUST NEUROSECRETORY-CELLS PROJECTING INTO THE NERVUS-CORPORIS-ALLATI-II OF THE SUBESOPHAGEAL GANGLION, Microscopy research and technique, 35(3), 1996, pp. 230-241
The morphology of neurosecretory cells that project from the suboesoph
ageal ganglion into the retrocerebral complex via the Nervus corporis
allati II (NCA II) was studied in the migratory locust, Locusta migrat
oria, using backfilling techniques and intracellular staining. There a
re two populations of cells located ventrally in the ganglion: an ante
rior group of four larger cells, and a posterior group of up to 22 sma
ller cells. Apart from cell body size and position, members of both ce
ll groups have almost all features in common. They show long-lasting s
oma spikes with large amplitudes typical for arthropod neurosecretory
cells. Their dendritic arborisations are found in the same regions of
the neuropile. Both types project into the corpora cardiaca and an add
itional putative neurohaemal region associated with posterior pharynge
al dilator muscles. The axons of the cells bypass the corpora allata,
but frequently form putative release sites on the surface of nerve bra
nches in the vicinity of these glands. Finally, using double-labelling
techniques, both anterior and posterior cells are shown to be identic
al with immunoreactive suboesophageal ganglion cells detected in previ
ous studies using antisera directed against either bovine pancreatic p
olypeptide (BPP) or locustamyotropin II (Lom-MT-II). (C) 1996 Wiley-Li
ss, Inc.