ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Endostyle
;
Peroxidase cytochemistry
;
Autora diography
;
Ultrastructure
;
Oikopleura albicans, Oikopleura longicauda (Appendicularia)
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Oikopleura albicans and O. longicauda belong to the two subgenera Vexillaria and Coecaria, respectively. The morphology and ultrastructure of their endostyles were investigated with conventional microscopic procedures as well as with DAB cytochemistry and 125I autoradiography at both light- and electron-microscopic levels. As expected, the general morphology of these endostyles is similar to all hitherto examined endostyles. They possess a ventral portion consisting of alternating glandular and ciliated cell zones, probably serving food capture, and a dorsal region, the corridor. Autoradiographic grains were found mainly in the corridor lumen associated with the apical surface of the two central rows of corridor cells. The same cells also gave strong positive reactions for peroxidase, the iodinating enzyme. Peroxidase activity was found in the apical plasma membrane as well as in the nuclear envelope, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi area and cytoplasmic vesicles. Definitive conclusions concerning an apical uptake and subsequent release into the body fluid of iodinated material could not be made from the present experiments. Our investigations indicate that the two central rows of corridor cells in both subgenera of oikopleurids constitute the protothyroid region, possibly homologous to the vertebrate thyroid gland.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00218785
