RESPONSES OF SPECIFIC NEUROSECRETORY CELLS OF THE COCKROACH, BLABERUS GIGANTEUS, TO DEHYDRATION

Abstract

Regula-tion of water content in the cockroach may be influenced by the secretions of specific neurosecretory cells. Under conditions causing dehydration (a) the type A cells of the pars intercerebralis show greater than normal amounts of stainable granules, and (b) the type A cells of the thoracic ganglia show clumping of granules toward the surface adjacent to a trachea and have a coagulated-appearing cytoplasm. Salt injections of 4 X NaCl in Hoyle''s solution produced the same cytological appearances as dehydration. Specific cytological changes were not seen in any other neurosecretory cells.