Serotonin Producing Neuroepithelial Bodies in Rabbit Respiratory Mucosa

Abstract

The intrapulmonary lining epithelium of rabbits contains newly identified corpuscles composed of argyrophil, argentaffin, yellow fluorescent, ultrastructurally granulated and innervated epithelial cellular organs. These are proved, by electron microscopic cytochemistry and microspectrography, to be a source for intrapulmonary production of serotonin. Probably they are intrapulmonary neuroreceptor organs modulated by the central nervous system which exhibit local secretory activities.