The form and dimensions of the giant synapse of squids

Abstract

A study was made of the distal giant synapse, and of proximal synapses, in the stellate ganglion of the squid, Loligo vulgaris . For this purpose we injected iontophoretically dyes or cobalt ions into the pre- or postsynaptic axon. The intra-axonal movement of visible dyes was measured. Both presynaptic fibres, the main second order giant axon and the largest accessory axon, branched to make multiple synaptic contacts on the giant motor axons from near the perikarya down to near the exit of the stellar nerves from the ganglion. There were considerable individual variations in the branching patterns of the presynaptic giant axon and in the course and number of the postsynaptic giant axons. More than one accessory axon made contact with the largest motor axon. Fine structural details of the synapse are presented. The size of the contact area made by the main presynaptic axon on the last postsynaptic axon of a medium-sized animal was estimated from low power electron micrographs. We measured and counted synaptic contacts, synaptic vesicles and mitochondria. The fine structure of proximal synapses was found to be very similar to that of the distal synapse. Cobalt- or dye-injected ganglia showed that the perikarya of the axons which fuse to form the postsynaptic giant axons are located in diffuse and overlapping areas of the giant fibre lobe. In freshly hatched larvae the giant synapse was well differentiated; a gradient of differentiation from brain to periphery was detectable. The distal giant synapses of the oegopsid squid Todarodes sagittatus and of Sepia officinalis differed from the Loligo synapse. In Todarodes and Sepia collaterals and processes from both the presynaptic and the postsynaptic giant fibres are shown to meet in numerous contacts in the enlarged sheath surrounding the third order axon. In several respects the Loligo giant fibre system appears to represent in phylogenetical order the more evolved neuronal network.