[Demonstration of sensor nervous endings in the rat thyroid gland]. / Mise en évidence de terminaisons nerveuses sensorielles dans la thyroïde du rat.

ABSTRACT

The nerve sensitive endings or receptors of the thyroid gland have been studied in twenty adult male rats. Their morphology, their acetyl-cholinesterase specific activity, their mono-amino-oxidase activity and VIP were investigated. Few but constant nerve sensitive endings were observed in the thyroid gland. These receptors were subdivided by their morphology in the next groups pear-shaped receptors with capsule; capsuled spherical receptors located near vascular walls; ovoidal receptors with capsule and glomerular structure; simple or complex mace-shaped receptors without capsule. The acetyl-cholinesterase technique could just show a unique type or receptor, which corresponds with last one described. The mono-amino-oxidase technique can not show any type of receptors. VIP was not localized immunohistochemically in the sensitive endings of the thyroid gland.