ISSN:
1433-2981
Keywords:
Frog hibernation
;
Blood cells
;
Morphocytochemistry
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Some morphological features (degree of nuclear segmentation in neutrophils and eosinophils), histochemical patterns (DHFR, LDH, G6PDH) and, in addition, the nucleic acid distribution (DNA, RNA with acridine orange) in the peripheral blood cells of Rana esculenta, during the hibernation phase were investigated. All the observed parameters varied significantly in the frog during hibernation in comparison with the active period. The most evident changes were an increase in the nuclear segmentation of the neutrophils and a lower activity of the histochemically demonstrable DHFR and LDH, probably due to cell ageing. These findings suggest that, in hibernating frogs, there is an increase in the life span of the peripheral blood cells as a consequence of a reduced metabolic activity and a slowing of haematopoiesis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00235375
