scholarly journals Histological and histochemical characterization of secretory cells of the male copulatory organs of Girardia anderlani (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Paludicola)

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dioneia C. da Vara ◽  
Ana M. Leal-Zanchet

Glands of the reproductive system are important for taxonomical identification of flatworms. We studied the histology and histochemical characteristics of the glands of the male copulatory apparatus in Girardia anderlani (KAWAKATSU & HAUSER, 1983). Specimens were fixed in reproductive state, i. e. during and following copulation at four, eight, 12 and 16 hours intervals. Secretory cells were distinguished on the basis of secretion morphology and their staining properties, using trichrome methods and histochemical reactions. Twelve secretory cell types and five main types of secretions were identified in the male copulatory apparatus: glycoproteic with and without tryptophan; glycosaminoglycidic; neutral mucopolysaccharidic; and proteic. Compared to other Girardia species, more diverse types of secretory cells comprise the glands of the male reproductive system. Histophysiological comparative studies of species of Girardia, in a reproductive state, are necessary to characterize the various regions of the copulatory apparatus as well as to understand the physiology of reproduction.

2004 ◽  
Vol 64 (3a) ◽  
pp. 511-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. de Souza ◽  
A. M. Leal-Zanchet

The present study aims at providing a detailed description of the histology, as well as the first histochemical characterization, of the secretory cells of the epidermis, pharynx, and copulatory organs of Choeradoplana iheringi, in order to give further support to studies on the physiology of these organs. The secretory cells are distinguished on the basis of secretion morphology and its staining properties, using trichrome methods and histochemical reactions. Four cell types open through the epidermis of Ch. iheringi, three of them secreting basic protein and a fourth containing glycosaminoglycan mucins. The epidermal lining cells store glycogen. In the pharynx, four secretory cell types were distinguished. Two types produce glycoprotein, a third type secretes basic protein, and another one produces glycosaminoglycan mucins. In the male copulatory organs, the prostatic vesicle receives four secretory cell types containing basic protein, except for one type which produces glycoprotein. The two secretory cell types opening into the male atrium secrete, respectively, glycoprotein, and glycosaminoglycan mucins. In the female copulatory organs, the female atrium and its proximal diverticulum, the vagina, receive two types of secretory cells producing, respectively, basic protein and glycosaminoglycan mucins. Another secretory cell type constitutes the so-called shell glands which open into the common glandular duct, secreting basic protein. The lining cells of the male and female atria produce a mucous secretion containing glycosaminoglycans. In addition, the lining epithelium of the female atrium presents an apical secretion of a proteic nature. The occurrence of a kind of spermatophore is reported for the first time for a species of Choeradoplana. This structure is located in the male or female atria in different specimens, and characterized by erythrophil, xanthophil, and/or mixed secretions associated with sperm.


1979 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1182-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
S S Spicer ◽  
P L Sannes ◽  
T Katsuyama

Lectin methods have increased the capacity for histochemical characterization and differentiation of glycoproteins and have demonstrated, for example, greater reactivity of gastrointestinal than of respiratory tract secretions with the periodate-concanavalin A-horseradish peroxidase method for localizing mannose-rich glycoprotein. Application of a battery of ultrastructural cytochemical methods with specificity for the constituents characteristically present in the complex carbohydrates provides knowledge of the distribution of the various recognizable types of glycoconjugates in tissues and cells showing, for example, marked differences in glycoconjugates of the apical compared with the basolateral plasmalemma in a given cell type and differences between apical plasmalemmas or basement membranes of different cell types. Such information raises questions as to the biologic significance of the different complex carbohydrates in various sites and, hopefully, will lead to a clearer understanding of their physiologic roles.


Author(s):  
S. Tai

Extensive cytological and histological research, correlated with physiological experimental analysis, have been done on the anterior pituitaries of many different vertebrates which have provided the knowledge to create the concept that specific cell types synthesize, store and release their specific hormones. These hormones are stored in or associated with granules. Nevertheless, there are still many doubts - that need further studies, specially on the ultrastructure and physiology of these endocrine cells during the process of synthesis, transport and secretion, whereas some new methods may provide the information about the intracellular structure and activity in detail.In the present work, ultrastructural study of the hormone-secretory cells of chicken pituitaries have been done by using TEM as well as HR-SEM, to correlate the informations obtained from 2-dimensional TEM micrography with the 3-dimensional SEM topographic images, which have a continous surface with larger depth of field that - offers the adventage to interpretate some intracellular structures which were not possible to see using TEM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ofir Klein ◽  
Ronit Sagi-Eisenberg

Anaphylaxis is a notorious type 2 immune response which may result in a systemic response and lead to death. A precondition for the unfolding of the anaphylactic shock is the secretion of inflammatory mediators from mast cells in response to an allergen, mostly through activation of the cells via the IgE-dependent pathway. While mast cells are specialized secretory cells that can secrete through a variety of exocytic modes, the most predominant mode exerted by the mast cell during anaphylaxis is compound exocytosis—a specialized form of regulated exocytosis where secretory granules fuse to one another. Here, we review the modes of regulated exocytosis in the mast cell and focus on compound exocytosis. We review historical landmarks in the research of compound exocytosis in mast cells and the methods available for investigating compound exocytosis. We also review the molecular mechanisms reported to underlie compound exocytosis in mast cells and expand further with reviewing key findings from other cell types. Finally, we discuss the possible reasons for the mast cell to utilize compound exocytosis during anaphylaxis, the conflicting evidence in different mast cell models, and the open questions in the field which remain to be answered.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Peter Walentek

Mucociliary epithelia are composed of multiciliated, secretory, and stem cells and line various organs in vertebrates such as the respiratory tract. By means of mucociliary clearance, those epithelia provide a first line of defense against inhaled particles and pathogens. Mucociliary clearance relies on the correct composition of cell types, that is, the proper balance of ciliated and secretory cells. A failure to generate and to maintain correct cell type composition and function results in impaired clearance and high risk to infections, such as in congenital diseases (e.g., ciliopathies) as well as in acquired diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). While it remains incompletely resolved how precisely cell types are specified and maintained in development and disease, many studies have revealed important mechanisms regarding the signaling control in mucociliary cell types in various species. Those studies not only provided insights into the signaling contribution to organ development and regeneration but also highlighted the remarkable plasticity of cell identity encountered in mucociliary maintenance, including frequent trans-differentiation events during homeostasis and specifically in disease. This review will summarize major findings and provide perspectives regarding the future of mucociliary research and the treatment of chronic airway diseases associated with tissue remodeling.


Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 640
Author(s):  
Natalia R. Moyetta ◽  
Fabián O. Ramos ◽  
Jimena Leyria ◽  
Lilián E. Canavoso ◽  
Leonardo L. Fruttero

Hemocytes, the cells present in the hemolymph of insects and other invertebrates, perform several physiological functions, including innate immunity. The current classification of hemocyte types is based mostly on morphological features; however, divergences have emerged among specialists in triatomines, the insect vectors of Chagas’ disease (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Here, we have combined technical approaches in order to characterize the hemocytes from fifth instar nymphs of the triatomine Dipetalogaster maxima. Moreover, in this work we describe, for the first time, the ultrastructural features of D. maxima hemocytes. Using phase contrast microscopy of fresh preparations, five hemocyte populations were identified and further characterized by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy. The plasmatocytes and the granulocytes were the most abundant cell types, although prohemocytes, adipohemocytes and oenocytes were also found. This work sheds light on a controversial aspect of triatomine cell biology and physiology setting the basis for future in-depth studies directed to address hemocyte classification using non-microscopy-based markers.


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