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Book Reviews Russel J. Reiter Pineal Research Reviews, vol. 1 Alan R. Liss, New York 1983 XI + 276 pp.; E43.00 ISBN 0-8451-3600-3 This volume is the first one of a new series which is promised a great future. For the scientists working in the field of the pineal gland, it will be of great interest, as it contains review articles written by experts. The first volume contains 6 articles of a long series which deal exclusively with one particular aspect. These articles, edited by R. J. Reiter, represent the first steps to be acquired in the knowledge of the pineal gland. These articles are also of interest to biologists, biochemists and physiologists. The first paper is by M. Karasek on the ultrastructure of the mammalian pineal gland. It is a very concise description of the pine-alocytes and the nerve cell, mainly sympathetic, and fibers, as well as the vascularisation and the calcareous concretions of the pineal gland. The second paper by W.A. Gern and CM. Karn deals with the function of the principal indolamine secreted by the pineal and extrapineal tissue like the retina, the Harderian gland. Pineal gland function and its evolution is further discussed in the third article by B. Vivien-Roels and P. Pévet. The importance of the pineal gland in seasonal reproduction is precisely described in mammals as in nonmammalian vertebrates. In addition, the role of 5-methoxyindoles in relation with environmental lighting conditions and with special reference to seasonal environmental temperature is well analyzed in different species and climates. This chapter is of particular importance to those who are interested in environmental endocrinology. The two next articles are of great value for those who are endo-crinologists. They deal with the physiology of secretion of melatonin in mammals by B.D. Goldman and the pineal-thyroid interactions by /. Vriend. The interactions of pineal gland and day length, the effects of melatonin administration, and of pinealectomy on gonadal and thyroid functions are described in a very precise manner, particularly in view of the difficult tasks of describing complicated experiments: melatonin having either inhibitory or counter inhibitory effects. All these chapters open up new questions: the action of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides on the pineal gland and the mechanism of action of melatonin. To further investigate these points, R.J. Reiter has included in the first volume an important chapter on the application of immunologic techniques to the study of pineal indolealkylamines by G.M. Brown et al. The authors review in an excellent manner the production of antigens, antisera for measuring melatonin and one of its precursors, Nacetylserotonin. They make also an excellent analysis of the immunohistochemical procedures for the visualization and quantitation of melatonin and N-acetylserotonin in tissues. This first volume is an important tool for the scientists involved in the field of the pineal gland. The quality of the review articles and the importance of the bibliography make it valuable. At the same time, the authors give their own opinions on many still controversial issues making the