Abstract

Typical vagal paraganglia of Syrian hamsters are encapsulated in connective tissue and consist of groups of epithelial cells. Ganglion cells, a few fenestrated capillaries, and bundles of unmyelinated nerve fibers are intermingled among the parenchymal cells. The parenchymal cells are of two types: chief or paraganglion and sustentacular or supporting cells. The processes of the supporting cells partly or completely surround the paraganglion cells. In addition to the nucleus, Golgi complex, mitochondria, parallel-arrayed granular endoplasmic reticulum, and lipofuscin pigment, the chief cells are characterized by the presence of numerous membrane-bound, electron opaque granules. After an injection of 3H-dopa, labelings were concentrated over the chief cells and were associated predominantly with the granules. Following glutaraldehyde-dichromate treatment the granules gave a positive reaction for unsubstituted amines. These results suggest that the chief cells contain catecholamines in the electron opaque granules.

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