ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Ultimobranchial glands
;
Urodeles
;
Cell types
;
Ultrastructure
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The fine structure of the ultimobranchial (UB) glands of two common laboratory urodeles, viz., larval axolotls, Ambystoma mexicanum Shaw and adult Pleurodeles waltlii Micahelles, is described and compared in what is believed to be the first ultrastructural report on urodele UB glands. The axolotl UB gland shows a wide variety of form, being represented by an elongated diffuse series of follicles and sometimes by one or two large discrete terminal follicular bodies. In these axolotl UB glands up to four cell categories are distinguishable including a tonofilamentous cell and a secretory cell that is possibly homologous with calcitonin-producing C cells of anurans or other vertebrates. These two cell categories are also found in the Pleurodeles gland. The possible significance of the various cells is considered.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00307152
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