Histoenzymological light and electron microscopic localization of carbonic anhydrase in the rat superficial pineal gland.

A histoenzymological method for demonstration of carbonic anhydrase (CA) was used for cryostat sections of superficial rat pineal gland. Light and electron microscopic analysis showed a high concentration of this enzyme in stellate cells, particularly heavily distributed under the organ capsule and scattered in the parenchyma, where they form a widespread three-dimensional network. Most of the pericapillary spaces were lined by CA-reactive cells. The reaction product, in the form of strongly electron-dark precipitates, was localized in the cytoplasmic matrix, whereas organelles, except for some mitochondrial intracristal spaces, were CA-negative. On the basis of localization and morphology of CA-positive cells, we conclude that these represent glial (interstitial) cells.