Summary
The fine structure of the gas gland cells in Perca and Acerina was studied with the light- and electron microscope. In some of the animals the gas glands were stimulated by the single or repeated removal of the gas from the swimbladder. In this group of fishes the changes in the organization of cytoplasm of the gas gland cells accompanying an intense production of gas have been studied.
In the control animals, cells of the gas gland are packed with granules of glycogen except in the perivascular region. A high and protracted activity of the gland results in the disappearance of glycogen, in an increase of the number of cytoplasmic structures, especially the Golgi complex and lysosome-like bodies, and in a very strong proliferation of the external nuclear membrane.
The function of the glandular cells and possible causes for the observed alterations in the cytoplasmic organization during an increased gas production are discussed.
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