Histochemical Studies of Phosphatases in the Nervous System of Thiamine Deficient Pigeons

Abstract

Summary

Nervous tissues of thiamine deficient and control pigeons were examined histochemically in respect to both alkaline and acid phosphatases. In this deficiency the nerve cells shrink and acquire increased amounts of alkaline phosphatase, whereas the neuropil shows only a slightly increased reaction. Acid phosphatase of the axis cylinders and cytoplasm of the nerve cells is diminished in amount. After administration of thiamine to the deficient pigeons, a considerable return to normal is observed. Accompanying restoration of the acid phosphatase a network, similar to the pattern of “neurokeratin”, becomes evident in the myelin sheaths.