The detection by X-ray microanalysis of noradrenaline in sympathetic nerve terminals of the rat vas deferens

Summary The epidermis of Mystus (Mystus) vittatus contains two well differentiated mucous cells which secrete different mucosubstances. The goblet cells contain periodate reactive neutral mucosubstances, glycogen, testicular hyaluronidase resistant sulphated mucosubstances, and sialic acid rich glycoproteins. The clavate cells contain small amounts of neutral and sulphated mucosubstances and no glycoproteins. The difference in the histochemical nature of the two types of mucous cells is discussed in relation to their physiological activities.This investigation was supported by research Fellowship No. 7/176(138)77 from the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi to the first author     

Histochemical studies of mucosubstances in the epidermis of a nonscaly teleost Mystus (Mystus) vittatus Bl. (Pisces-Bagridae)

The epidermis of Mystus (Mystus) vittatus contains two well differentiated mucous cells which secrete different mucosubstances. The goblet cells contain periodate reactive neutral mucosubstances, glycogen, testicular hyaluronidase resistant sulphated mucosubstances, and sialic acid rich glycoproteins. The clavate cells contain small amounts of neutral and sulphated mucosubstances and no glycoproteins. The difference in the histochemical nature of the two types of mucous cells is discussed in relation to their physiological activities.     

Histochemical analysis of mucous cells in the epidermis of brown trout Salmo trutta L.

A histochemical study of the epidermal mucous cells of brown trout revealed that they contained both neutral and acidic mucosubstances which were diastase-resistant, PAS-reactive. Neuraminidase treatment, methylation and combined staining procedures suggested that the acidic nature of the mucins was due mainly to the presence of sialic-acid containing glycoprotein. These results augment data derived from biochemical analyses of the epidermal mucus of salmonid fish.     

Morphological and histochemical characterisation of the mucosa of the digestive tract in matrinxã Brycon amazonicus (Teleostei: Characiformes)

This study describes anatomical, histological and histochemical features of the digestive tract mucosal layer of the matrinxã Brycon amazonicus, an omnivorous freshwater fish endemic from the Amazon basin. This species presents short thick oesophagus with longitudinal folds, that allow the passage of large food items. The mucosa is lined with a stratified secretory epithelium rich in goblet cells that secrete neutral and acid mucins. The two mucin types provide different viscosity in anterior and posterior oesophagus related to the protective and lubricant functions, respectively. The stomach is a highly distensible Y-shaped saccular organ. Here, it is proposed that this anatomical shape plays an essential role in food storage when food availability is abundant. The stomach mucosa is composed of epithelial cells with intense neutral mucin secretion to protects against gastric juice. The intestine is slightly coiled and presents internally a complex pattern of transversal folds that increases the absorption surface and the retention time of food. Goblet cells in the intestine secrete acid and neutral mucins that lubricate the epithelium and aid in the digestive processes. In the rectum, an increase in goblet cells population occurs that may be related to better lubrication.     

Histochemical investigations on the secretory cells in the oesophagogastric tract of the Eurasian green toad,Bufo viridis

The secretory cells of the oesophagogastric tract of the Eurasian toad, Bufo viridis, were examined using standard histochemical methods and lectin histochemistry. Two goblet cell types were found in the oesophageal epithelium, differing in their morphology and the histochemical features of the secretory granules. These contained mainly acidic glycoconjugates, both sulphated and carboxylated, and a small amount of pepsinogen. Type I goblet cells contained stable class-III mucosubstances, which were absent in Type II. No pluricellular oesophageal glands were found. The oesophagogastric junction had a superficial epithelium similar to that of the oesophageal epithelium, with alveolar pluricellular glands, secreting stable class-III mucins, and few oxynticopeptic cells. The gastric mucosa presented secretory cells both in the surface epithelium and in the gastric glands. Superficial and foveolar cells produced neutral mucins with Gal1,3GalNAc residues. Neck cells, oxynticopeptic cells and endocrine cells were found in the gastric glands. Neck cells produced stable class-III mucosubstances. A functional gradient was observed in the oxynticopeptic cells from the oral to the aboral fundus, with a decrease in pepsinogen secretion towards the aboral fundus and a possible increase in HCl secretion. In the pyloric mucosa, the oxynticopeptic cells disappeared and the glands produced only neutral mucins, without stable class-III mucosubstances.     

Ultrastructure and cytochemistry of secretory cells in the skin of the leech,Dina lineata

The ultrastructure and histochemical features of the two types of secretory cells in leech skin are described. Pear-shaped cells secrete mucus containing carboxylated mucosubstances, while tubular cells produce a mucus containing a mixture of neutral, carboxylated, and sulfated mucosubstances. Pear-shaped secretory cells have two types of neuroglandular junctions, one containing dense-core serotonergic vesicles and the other small clear vesicles. Tubular secretory cells have large terminals, with many clear vesicles thought to be cholinergic. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Mucosubstance histochemistry of Brunner's glands, pyloric glands and duodenal goblet cells in the ferret

The mucosubstance of Brunner's glands, pyloric glands and duodenal goblet cells were studied using the various histochemical methods. The secretions of both Brunner's and pyloric glands were similar in their histochemical reactions. They contained neutral mucosubstances as in these glands in man. The duodenal goblet cells showed variations in their histochemical characters. (i) The secretions of most of the deep cells and the majority of superficial cells contained sialidase-labile and sialidase-resistant sialomucins. (ii) There were a few superficial and occasional deep cells, the secretions of which contained sulphated mucosubstances. (iii) There were some goblet cells, more in the villi than in the crypts, the secretions of which contained a mixture of sialomucins and a sulphated mucin. The sialomucin was mostly sialidase-labile and partly sialidase-resistant.     

Some morphological and histochemical studies on the intestinal tract of the Brazilian sloth (Bradypus tridactylus)

The intestinal of the 3-toed sloth, Bradypus tridactylus, was studied macroscopically, with light microscope and with histochemical methods for mucosubstances. Macroscopically, the inner surface of the duodenum shows longitudinal and circular folds. There is no caecum, nor appendix. The large intestine consists of a short colon and a large rectal pouch, which has a thick wall. The mucosa of the small intestine has long leaf-shaped villi covered with columnar epithelium having a well developed striated border, and the goblet cells are scattered among the columnar cells. An association between neutral and acidic mucosubstances was detected in the goblet cells. The duodenal (Brunner's) glands are confined exclusively in the lamina propria of the duodenum. No Paneth cells were observed in the crypt lining. Argyrophil and argentaffin cells were found in the entire length of the intestine. The large intestine does not possess villi, but many goblet cells were observed in its mucosa.     

Mucosubstance histochemistry of Brunner's glands,pyloric glands and duodenal goblet cells in the ferret

Summary The mucosubstance of Brunner's glands, pyloric glands and duodenal goblet cells were studied using the various histochemical methods.The secretions of both Brunner's and pyloric glands were similar in their histochemical reactions. They contained neutral mucosubstances as in these glands in man.The duodenal goblet cells showed variations in their histochemical characters. (i) The secretions of most of the deep cells and the majority of superficial cells contained sialidase-labile and sialidase-resistant sialomucins. (ii) There were a few superficial and occasional deep cells, the secretions of which contained sulphated mucosubstances. (iii) There were some goblet cells, more in the villi than in the crypts, the secretions of which contained a mixture of sialomycins and a sulphated mucin. The sialomucin was mostly sialidase-labile and partly sialidase-resistant.     

Morphochemical analysis of mucosubstances in some epithelial tissues of the eel (Anguilla japonica).

In attempts to gain insight into the nature of mucosubstances in the eel epithelial tissues, the epidermis and epithelia lining the gill and intestine of the fish have been reacted for a series of light microscopic stainings of mucosaccharide and protein histochemistry under normal and experimental conditions. The present morphochemical analyses indicate that (1) the mucosubstances of the epidermis are found within two well differentiated cell types, goblet and clavate cells which elaborate a neuraminic acid containing mucosaccharide with vicinal hydroxyl, sulfate and carboxyl groupings and a glycoprotein respectively and (2) the mucosubstances of the gill and intestinal epithelia are found within goblet cells which elaborate a mucosaccharide with histochemical properties comparable to those of mucosaccharide within the epidermal goblet cells. The histochemical characteristics of all these mucosubstances have been briefly discussed in relation to the activities of the epithelial tissues in the eel.     

Histochemistry of mucosubstances in the mantle of fresh water mussel, Parreysia corrugata var. nagpoorensis (Lea) II. Mucosubstances of the middle marginal fold.

The results of the various histochemical reactions on mucosubstances indicate that in the middle fold of the mantle edge two types of mucus cells exist, one producing sulphomucins and the other neutral mucosubstances. The cells secreting neutral mucosubstances are few in number. The sulphated mucus is strongly alcianophilic. The alcianophilia persists when the tissues are stained with alcian blue in concentration up to 0-5 M magnesium chloride. Testicular hyaluronidase has no effect on the staining pattern of the mucus.     

Histochemistry of mucosubstances in Brunner's-gland cells and duodenal goblet cells of two New World monkey species (Saimiri sciureus andSaguinus fuscicollis)

Summary Duodenal goblet cells and Brunner's-gland cells obtained from two species of New World monkeys (Saimiri sciureus andSaguinus fuscicollis) were studied using conventional histochemical methods and by applying a panel of 17 labelled lectins. The secretions of both goblet and Brunner'-gland cells were found to contain neutral mucosubstances, while those of goblet cells also exhibit acid and sulphated carbohydrate components. Lectin binding studies allowed a more detailed analysis of the mucus glycoproteins. Marked differences between the two examined species were not detected.N-Acetyl-galactosamine, galactose, fucose andN-Acetyl-glucosamine were found to be the predominante sugar residues in Brunner's-glands glycoproteins, with mannose and glucose being only minor components.Dedicated to Professor Dr. T.H. Schiebler on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Secretory cells in the clitellar epithelium of Eisenia foetida (Annelida,Oligochaeta): A histochemical and ultrastructural study

Eight secretory cell types are identified in the clitellar epithelium of Eisenia foetida, of which five have been described in detail previously (i.e., the large granular, fine granular, metachromatic, orthochromatic, and small granular proteinacecus cells). The remaining three secretory cell types are mucus-producing cells specific to the clitellar epithelium (type 3), cells associated with the chaetal follicles (type 4), and cells that occur exclusively in the tubercula pubertatis (type 5). Type 3 cells secrete a mucus containing neutral and acid mucosubstances. Ultrastructurally, type 3 cells are characterized by membrane-bound globules 0.4 to 3.7 μm in diameter. The contents of the globules have a finely reticulate appearance. The secretion of type 4 cells contains a collagenlike protein and neutral and sulfated acid mucosubstances. Type 4 cell secretory granules are membrane bound and range in diameter from 0.8 to 1.6 μm. They contain large, electron-dense, spheroid cores which are surrounded by parallel orientated microfibrils 14 nm in diameter. Type 5 cells give variable responses to the histochemical techniques used in the present study. An elastinlike protein is detected in about half of the type 5 cells and acid and neutral mucosubstances in the remainder. At the ultrastructural level the secretory granules vary in shape from spheroid to polygonal. Their finely, electron-dense contents exhibit progressive swelling which results in the eventual rupture of the limiting membranes of the granules. The necks of types 3, 4, and 5 cells contain a peripheral ring of microtubles (20 ± 1 nm in diameter).     

Distribution and histochemical characterization of goblet cells in the nasal cavity of piglets

The present study was designed to compare the distribution of goblet cells and the histochemical composition of mucosubstances produced by these cells in the nasal cavity of piglets aged from 1 to 28 days. Serial transverse sections were stained to demonstrate neutral, acidic, and sulfated mucosubstances. Sections located at eight reference levels rostrocaudally in the nasal cavity and defined regions on these sections were used for goblet-cell counting. There was a nonhomogeneous distribution of goblet cells in the nasal cavity of piglets. A rostrocaudal increase in goblet-cell density was observed with the highest densities found in the ventral meatus and on the septum. There was no difference in this pattern of distribution according to age of the piglets. However, age-related differences were observed in the prevalence of goblet cells containing sialomucins, sulfomucins, or both. While sialomucins were prevalent at 1 and 14 days, sulfomucins predominated in the rostral half of the cavity at 28 days. Our results indicate a maturation of the products of secretion with aging in piglets. The affinity of infectious agents for sialylated glycoconjugates and the predominance of sialomucins in the nasal cavity of newborn piglets could account for their greater susceptibility to bacterial infection.     

The fine structure of the stomach mucosa of the llama (Llama guanacoe)

Summary The epithelium of the fundic region mucosa of the hind stomach in the Llama guanacoe has been studied using morphological and histochemical methods. Morphology suggests that solute and water absorption may occur in the epithelium of the surface and of the foveolae, although this absorption can not be estimated because of the extensive secretion of the gastric glands. The same cells of the surface and foveolar epithelium show numerous secretory granules. The glands reveal neck cells, chief cells, a large number of oxyntic cells, four types of endocrine cells (A-like, ECL, D and EC), brush cells and wandering cells. PAS and Alcian blue reactions for light microscopy suggest a secretion of neutral and acidic mucosubstances in the surface and foveolar epithelium, of neutral mucosubstances only in the neck cells. Periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) reaction for electron microscopy confirms the presence of neutral mucosubstances within the secretory granules of the surface, foveolar and neck epithelial cells. In all these cells, the reaction product is also evident within sacculi and vesicles of the maturing surface of the Golgi apparatus. A positive PA-TCH-SP reaction also occurs on the membrane (and not on the contents) of the Golgi apparatus (maturing surface) and of the secretory granules of the chief cells as well as on the membrane of the Golgi apparatus and of apical vesicles and tubules of the oxyntic cells. In addition, silver granules slightly enhance the electron density of the contents of the secretory granules in the endocrine cells. Morphological and histochemical findings are discussed and compared with results described by others for monogastric mammals.     

Structure and carbohydrate histochemistry of the esophagus in ten teleostean species

The histology and carbohydrate histochemistry of ten teleostean esophagi were compared. Structurally, the four layers of a typical vertebrate digestive tract were consistently present. The epithelium was always stratified and in all but one species (Ictalurus nebulosus) contained taste buds. Esophageal mucous cells were not the typical goblet cells seen in other vertebrates but appeared to be of six different types, pairs of which were associated with particular families. In esocids, poorly developed mucous acini and serous monogranular cells were present. In all species, the subepithelial connective tissue was not divided into definitive lamina propriae and submucosae due to the absence of muscularis mucosae. Variably present in this connective tissue region were argentophilic fibers and in esocids only, randomly dispersed striated muscle fibers. The arrangement of the muscularis was reverse to that of the general vertebrate plan. In mucous cells, three general types of epithelial mucosubstances were identified and in broad terms were recognized as sulfomucins, sialomucins and neutral mucosubstances. Morphological differences were accompanied by differences in carbohydrate localization, each esophageal epithelium containing at least two different mucosubstances. However, the mucosubstances identified in each mucous cell had a profile of characteristics different in some respects from any other. Thus teleostean esophagi appear to perform an integrated diversity of functions as reflected by their complex morphology and carbohydrate histochemistry.     

Histochemistry of mucosubstances in Brunner's-gland cells and duodenal goblet cells of two New World monkey species (Saimiri sciureus and Saguinus fuscicollis)

Duodenal goblet cells and Brunner's-gland cells obtained from two species of New World monkeys (Saimiri sciureus and Saguinus fuscicollis) were studied using conventional histochemical methods and by applying a panel of 17 labelled lectins. The secretions of both goblet and Brunner's-gland cells were found to contain neutral mucosubstances, while those of goblet cells also exhibit acid and sulphated carbohydrate components. Lectin binding studies allowed a more detailed analysis of the mucus glycoproteins. Marked differences between the two examined species were not detected. N-Acetyl-galactosamine, galactose, fucose and N-Acetyl-glucosamine were found to be the predominant sugar residues in Brunner's-glands glycoproteins, with mannose and glucose being only minor components.     

Histochemical reactions of gastrointestinal mucosubstances with orcein,high iron diamine and alcian blue after prior oxidation of tissue sections

Summary The histochemical orcein reaction (orc) for mucosubstances in tissue samples from the human gastrointestinal tract was compared with PAS, high iron diamine (HID) and Alcian blue reactions at pH 1.0 or 2.5 (AB 1 and AB 2.5). Orc, HID and AB 1 reactions were performed also with prior oxidation of the tissue sections with potassium permanganate or performic acid (ox-orc, ox-HID and ox-AB reactions, respectively). Orc reaction stained mucosubstances similarly to HID and AB 1; only the brush border and goblet cells in the colon were stained. The reactions of the mucosubstances obtained with ox-orc differed from those with PAS, HID, AB 1 or AB 2.5 but were similar to those with ox-HID or ox-AB; the mucosubstances in the brush border and the goblet cells in the colon and small bowel and in the foveolar epithelium of the stomach were strongly stained. Pyloric and cardiac glands were stained faintly with ox-orc but not with ox-HID or ox-AB. Brunner's glands were negative with ox-orc, ox-HID and ox-AB reactions. It was assumed that the orc reaction stains, like HID or AB 1, sulphate groups in epithelial mucosubstances, and that sulphonic acid residues, resulting from oxidation of disulphide groups in the protein core of mucus glycoproteins, are responsible for the ox-orc as well as for the ox-HID and ox-AB reactions.The study was supported by grants from the Cancer Society of Finland, Foundation of Orion Corporation and from the Paulo's Foundation, Helsinki, Finland     

Morphochemical analysis of mucous cells in the skin and slime glands of hagfishes

Summary The mucous cells of the epidermis and slime glands in three species of Pacific hagfishes were studied histochemically to determine the presence or absence of acidic and neutral mucosubstances. Most mucous cells contained diastase-resistant PAS reactivity that varied in intensity. A few mucous cells contained diastase-labile substances exclusively.Acidic groups were detectable due to their stainability by several basic dyes which were utilized singly or in combination. Considerable species diversity of hagfish mucins was noted in their affinity toward azure A at pH 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 depending on whether sections were viewed wet from the staining jar or viewed after dehydration and mounting. At pH 1.0, a few mucous cells were metachromatic under both conditions while the majority were unstained in both types of section. As the pH was raised, the majority of cells were metachromatic when viewed wet or mounted. Most mucous cells were reactive toward alcian blue at pH 1.0, aldehyde fuchsin and the high iron diamine reagents. Each of these reactions was absent following exposure of sections to acidic (0.1N HCl) methanol for 4 hours at 60°C while control sections exposed to unacidified methanol or acidified isopropanol for the same time and temperature resulted in no loss of staining.Sialidase-labile acidic groups were detected in the epidermal mucous cells of one species of hagfish. Following prior treatment of sections with Vibrio cholerae sialidase for 16–24 hours at 39° C, there was a reduction of metachromasia of the mucous cells produced by azure A at pH 3.0. Although confirmatory autoradiographic and biochemical data on hagfish mucosubstances are lacking, the histochemical staining results and their subsequent modifications by enzyme and chemical treatment indicate that the majority of these mucins contain sulfomucin while a few are composed of sialomucin. Similar results of previous histochemical and autoradiographic studies of epithelial secretions from higher animals correlated, in some instances, with the biochemical data for those mucins.Supported by Research Grant AM — 11064 of the United States Public Health Service.Recipent of a Lederle Medical Faculty Award, 1968–1971.     

The colonic groove of the plains viscacha (Lagostomus maximus): Histochemical evidence of an abrupt change in the glycosylation pattern of goblet cells

The ascending colon of most rodent species shows a longitudinal colonic groove that works as a retrograde transport pathway for a mixture of bacteria and mucus toward the cecum. We describe the morphology and glycosylation pattern of the colonic groove of Lagostomus maximus to analyze the role of mucins in this anatomical feature. We also studied the distribution pattern of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) to evaluate their regulatory influence on gut motility. The groove originated near the cecocolic junction and extended along the mesenteric side of the ascending colon, limited at both ends by nonpapillated ridges. These ridges divided the lumen of the ascending colon into two compartments: a narrow channel and a large channel, called the groove lumen and the main lumen, respectively. The histochemical analysis showed differences in the glycosylation pattern of the goblet cells inside and outside the groove. Unlike the mucosa lining the main lumen of the colon, the groove was rich in goblet cells that secrete sulfomucins. The PA/Bh/KOH/PAS technique evidenced an abrupt change in the histochemical profile of goblet cells, which presented a negative reaction in the groove and a strongly positive one in the rest of the colonic mucosa. The anti‐c‐kit immunohistochemical analysis showed different ICC subpopulations in the ascending colon of L. maximus . Of all types identified, the ICC‐SM were the only cells located solely within the colonic groove.