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Molecular Aspects of Neuroendocrine Integrative Processes in the Pineal Gland

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The Pineal Gland and its Endocrine Role

Part of the book series: NATO Advanced Science Institutes Series ((NSSA,volume 65))

Abstract

The mammalian pineal gland fulfills the criteria of a “neuroendocrine” transducer.1 It translates a neural language provided by norepinephrine (NE) released at the synaptic biophase to a hormone language,melatonin and perhaps endocrine active peptides. The pinealocytes are also “endocrineendocrine” transducers inasmuch as they convert an endocrine language, e.g. estradiol attaining the gland via the general circulation, to a different endocrine signal like melatonin. Additionally “endocrine-neural” transducer events occur in the pineal gland, as revealed by the significant modifications of the activity of the innery ting sympathetic pathway after several hormone treatments.1,2

Supported by grant n° 6638 from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.

Established Investigator, CONICET.

Research Fellow, CONICET.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y de Principios Naturales (CEFAPRIN), Serrano 665/669, 1414, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    D. P. Cardinali, Mónica N. Ritta, María I. Vacas, P. R. Lowenstein, P. V. Gejman, C. González Solveyra & Elba Pereyra

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  1. D. P. Cardinali
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  2. Mónica N. Ritta
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  3. María I. Vacas
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  4. P. R. Lowenstein
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  5. P. V. Gejman
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  6. C. González Solveyra
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    J. Axelrod

  2. University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    F. Fraschini

  3. University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    G. P. Velo

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Cardinali, D.P. et al. (1983). Molecular Aspects of Neuroendocrine Integrative Processes in the Pineal Gland. In: Axelrod, J., Fraschini, F., Velo, G.P. (eds) The Pineal Gland and its Endocrine Role. NATO Advanced Science Institutes Series, vol 65. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1451-7_10

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