Localization of monoamine nerve fibres by formaldehyde fluorescence histochemistry in the posterior salivary duct and gland of Octopus vulgaris

Abstract

A bright yellow-green specific fluorescence is induced by formaldehyde histochemistry for monoamines in the secretory nerve trunks of the Octopus vulgaris posterior salivary duct, and in their ramification in the gland tubules. In contrast, the motor nerve trunks of the duct contain few fluorescent elements. The muscular and connective coat of the duct is provided with fluorescent globular and varicose structures, of various sizes and colours, which become numerous in the duct branches. At least some of these peripheral structures belong to varicose monoamine nerve fibres. In the gland, on the contrary, the muscle cells surrounding the tubules are not supplied with fluorescent nerve fibres.