Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Apical surface of the epithelial cells in the gallbladder of the rainbow trout and the tench

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The free surface of the epithelial cells in the gallbladder of the rainbow trout (a predatory fish) and the tench (an omnivorous fish) is characterized by well-developed microvilli. They are irregularly arranged in the tench, but form a true brush border consisting of regularly aligned microvilli in the rainbow trout. In both species membrane-bounded cytoplasmic protrusions, up to 5 μm in diameter, extend from the apical surface. These protrusions are free of granules, secretory vesicles or other organelles; only in the tench some of them contain glycogen. Thus, the previously used terms “apocrine and droplet secretion” are not justified; the epithelial protrusions are now to be regarded as droplets of degenerated cytoplasm. Since they resemble the protrusions reported in fetal and postnatal epithelial cells in the gallbladder of higher vertebrates, interspecific differences are discussed. There is no significant correlation between the seasonal activity of the fish and the abundance or structure of the cytoplasmic protrusions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Amann E, Gnaiger E (1979) Jahreszeitliche Abhängigkeit der Nahrungszusammensetzung von Regenbogenforellen (Salmo gairdneri) im Kalbelesee (Hochtannberg, Vorarlberg). Österreichs Fischerei 32:32–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Anwand K (1965) Die Schleie. A. Ziemsen Verlag, Wittenberg-Lutherstadt

    Google Scholar 

  • Bader O (1965) Die submikroskopische Struktur des Gallenblasenepithels. III. Mitt.: Das Epithel der Steingallenblase des Menschen. Frankfurt Z Path 74:501–511

    Google Scholar 

  • Bader G (1966a) Die submikroskopische Struktur des Gallenblasenepithels und seiner Regeneration. I. Mitt.: Karpfen (Cyprinus carpio, L.) und Frosch (Rana esculenta, L.). Z Mikrosk Anat Forsch 74:92–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Bader G (1966b) Die submikroskopische Struktur des Gallenblasenepithels und seiner Regeneration. II. Mitt.: Huhn und verschiedene Säugetiere. Z Mikrosk Anat Forsch 74:303–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Castellucci M, Caggiati A (1980) Surface aspects of the rabbit gallbladder mucosa and their functional implications. J Submicr Cytol 12:375–390

    Google Scholar 

  • Evett RD, Higgins JA, Brown jr. AL (1964) The fine structure of normal mucosa in human gall bladder. Gastroenterology 47:49–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayward AF (1962) Electron microscopic observations on absorption in the epithelium of the guinea pig gall bladder. Z Zellforsch 56:197–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayward AF (1965) The fine structure of the gallbladder epithelium of the sheep. Z Zellforsch 65:331–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayward AF (1966) An electron microscopic study of developing gall bladder epithelium in the rabbit. J Anat (Lond) 100:245–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Inferrera C, Ferlazzo A (1974) Cytochemical observations in the electron microscope on the gall bladder epithelium. J Submicr Cytol 6:261–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson FR, McMinn RMH, Birchenough RF (1962) The ultrastructure of the gall-bladder epithelium of the dog. J Anat (Lond) 96:477–487

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawahara I, Fujii Y, Yamabayashi S, Ohno S, Katsuyama T, Murata F, Nagata T (1979) Histochemical observation on the gallbladder epithelia of the mice fed with gallstone producing diet. Acta Histochem Cytochem 12:613

    Google Scholar 

  • Koga A (1973) Electron microscopic observations on the mucous secretory activity of the human gallbladder epithelium. Z Zellforsch 139:463–471

    Google Scholar 

  • Laitio M, Nevalainen T (1972a) Scanning and transmission electron microscope observations on human gallbladder epithelium. I. Adult structure. Z Anat Entwickl-Gesch 136:319–325

    Google Scholar 

  • Laitio M, Nevalainen T (1972b) Scanning and transmission electron microscope observations on human gallbladder epithelium. II. Foetal development. Z Anat Entwickl-Gesch 136:326–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Luciano L (1972) Die Feinstruktur der Gallenblase und der Gallengänge. I. Das Epithel der Gallenblase der Maus. Z Zellforsch 135:87–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Luciano L, Reale E (1969) A new cell type (“brush cell”) in the gall bladder epithelium of the mouse. J Submicr Cytol 1:43–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Luciano L, Reale E (1979) A new morphological aspect of the brush cells of the mouse gallbladder epithelium. Cell Tissue Res 201:37–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Luciano L, Reale E, Wolpers C (1974) Die Feinstruktur der Gallenblase und der Gallengänge. V. Histochemische Lokalisierung von Mukosubstanzen im menschlichen Gallenblasenepithel. Histochemistry 38:57–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Luft JH (1971a) Ruthenium red and violet. I. Chemistry, purification, methods of use for electron microscopy and mechanism of action. Anat Rec 171:347–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Luft JH (1971b) Ruthenium red and violet. II. Fine structural localization in animal tissues. Anat Rec 171:369–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Meenen NM, Schiebler TH (1978) Zur Entwicklung des Gallenblasenepithels der Maus. Anat Anz 144:407–428

    Google Scholar 

  • Nevalainen TJ (1977) Ultrastructural characteristics of tuft cells in mouse gallbladder epithelium. Acta Anat 98:210–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuss L (1980) Ion conductances and electrochemical potential differences across membranes of gallbladder epithelium. In: Boulpaep EL, Bonner F, Kleinzeller A (eds) Current topics in membranes and transport, Vol13. Academic Press, New York, 215–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosa jr H (1958) A synopsis of biological data on tench Tinca tinca (Linnaeus 1758). FAO, Fisheries Division, Biology Branch 58/2/951:1–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Sidon EW, Peek WD, Youson JH, Fisher MM (1980) Fine structure of the liver in the larval lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L.; bile ducts and gall bladder. J Anat (Lond) 131:499–517

    Google Scholar 

  • Togari C, Okada T (1960) Cytological studies of the gallbladder epithelium of the fish. Okajimas Fol Anat Jpn 35:11–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Virchow R (1857) Über das Epithel der Gallenblase und über einen intermediären Stoffwechsel des Fettes. Virchows Archiv Pathol Anat 11:574–578

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahlin T (1976) Effects of lithogenic diets on mouse gallbladder epithelium. A histochemical, cytochemical and morphometric study. Virchows Archiv (Cell Pathol) 22:273–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahlin T (1977) Synthesis of glycoproteins in the Golgi complex of the mouse gallbladder epithelium during fasting, refeeding, and gallstone formation. A light microscopic autoradiographic and quantitative electron microscopic study. Histochemistry 51:133–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahlin T (1979) Histochemical analysis of mucosubstances and cytochemical studies of the Golgi region and the secretory granules of normal gerbil gallbladder principal cells. Acta Anat 103:468–476

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahlin T, Schiebler TH (1975) Zur Entwicklung des Gallenblasenepithels des Meerschweinchens. II. Elektronenmikroskopische und enzymhistochemische Untersuchungen. Histochemistry 44:253–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahlin T, Bloom GD, Carlsöö B (1974) Histochemical observations with the light and the electron microscope on the mucosubstances of the normal mouse gallbladder epithelial cells. Histochemistry 42:119–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahlin T, Bloom GD, Carlsöö B, Rhodin L (1976a) Effects of fasting and refeeding on secretory granules of the mouse gallbladder epithelium. A quantitative electron microscopic study. Gastroenterology 70:353–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahlin T, Bloom GD, Danielsson A (1976b) Effect of cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK-PZ) on glycoprotein secretion from mouse gallbladder epithelium. An ultrastructural and cytochemical study. Cell Tissue Res 171:425–435

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolf-Heidegger G, Stäubli W, Hess R (1965) Zur Ultrastruktur und Histochemie der Gallenblasenschleimhaut des Menschen und der Katze. Acta Anat 62:606–618

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamada K (1968) Some observations on the fine structure of light and dark cells in the gall bladder epithelium of the mouse. Z Zellforsch 84:463–472

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamada K (1974) Acid mucosaccharide-containing structures in the gall bladder epithelium of the rabbit as seen with the electron microscope. Histochemistry 39:351–360

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Histology and Embryology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    G. Viehberger

Authors
  1. G. Viehberger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This paper is dedicated to Professor Gertrude Eberl-Rothe on the occasion of her 70th birthday

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Viehberger, G. Apical surface of the epithelial cells in the gallbladder of the rainbow trout and the tench. Cell Tissue Res. 224, 449–454 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00216886

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00216886

Key words

Search

Navigation