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Journal of Experimental Biology 37,500-512 (1960)
Published by Company of Biologists 1960

The Nutrition of the Central Nervous System in the Cockroach Periplaneta Americana L : The Role of Perineurium and Glial Cells in the Mobilization of Reserves

V. B. WIGGLESWORTH ¹

¹ Agricultural Research Council Unit of Insect Physiology, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge

1. The histology of the last abdominal ganglion and the cercal nerves and connectives of the cockroach are briefly described. Attention is called to the large cavities, termed the ‘glial lacunar system’, that are present in the glial cell layer of the ganglion; and to the branching filaments of collagen-like material which are laid down within the glial membranes and trabeculae of the ganglia and nerves.

2. Glycogen is stored in large amounts in the perineurium cells, and in small amounts in the interaxonal glial membranes in the neuropile and nerves. Invaginations of the plasma membrane of the large ganglion cells (the ‘trophospongium’) are apparently concerned in the transfer of glycogen. Invaginations and glycogen deposits increase progressively towards the base of the axon.

3. Very small amounts of triglycerides are stored in the ganglion. There are traces only in the perineurium cells; rather more in the glial cells. The invaginations of the glial cells into the large ganglion cells seem to be concerned also in the transfer of lipids to the neurones.