Abstract
Ultimobranchial glands (UBG) from 9 days old chicken embryos were grown in vitro for times varying from 2 to 8 days and examined with a combination of fluorescence histochemistry and electron microscopy. The general development of the gland, the ultrastructure of the cells and their content of dopamine were compared with glands developed for the corresponding time in ovo. During the in vitro growth, the UBG cells seemed to proliferate at a normal rate and showed ultrastructural characteristics similar to those developed in ovo. The cellular content of dopamine was however markedly higher in cultured glands. Addition of α-methylparatyrosine caused depletion of dopamine from the UBG cells but did not lower the 5-HT content of the carotid body cells. Reserpine, on the other hand, depleted both dopamine and 5-HT. In contrast to recent in vivo findings, increased calcium concentration in the culture medium did not cause any overt degranulation of the UBG cells, nor any depletion of their dopamine content.
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