Estudos macro e microscópicos da glândula pineal de Kerodon rupestris

Abstract

The pineal gland, in some mammals, is considered a complex instead of a single organ, being responsible for secreting melatonin, a hormone that triggers the puberty awakening and controls circadian cycles. Macroscopically, we obtained a pineal gland darker than the brain, in the form of a rod, extending from the habenular commissure to the dura mater and located between the rostral colicles, in the median portion of the brain. Histologically, it was similar to other rodents, with pinealocytes, secretory cells, glial support cells and limestone concretions.