CHROMAFFIN CELLS, MAST CELLS AND MELANIN

Abstract

SUMMARY Polymorphic cells whose granules give a positive chromaffin reaction have been identified in the liver capsule and gut of the ox, cow and sheep. These cells give a positive argentaffin and Schmorl's reaction in dichromate-fixed material, and fail to couple with alkaline diazonium compounds. These reactions are consistent with the presence of a catechol, and from the work of Bertler, Falck, Hillarp, Rosengren & Torp (1959) it would appear that they contain dopamine. These chromaffin, dopamine-containing cells are, however, not a special type of cell but are tissue mast cells. Nuclear fast red (Herzberg) is not, as suggested by Falck, Hillarp & Torp (1959a, b), a specific stain for dopamine, but, when prepared with aluminium sulphate, it is specific for sulphated mucopolysaccharides.