Histochemical study of the forelimb muscles in Rana temporaria L

Fibre types in the 7 forelimb muscles of Rana temporaria were characterized according to actomyosin ATP-ase activity and 5 distinct fibre types were distinguished. Besides the twitch fibres of type I, IIA, IIB, and IIC, also the tonic fibres were found in the examined muscles. The metabolic profiles of these fibre types was identified on the basis of SDH activity. The scores of SDH activity of different fibre types overlapped and correlation between fibre types defined by ATP-ase activity and their metabolic profiles was not found. All investigated muscles showed the heterogenous distribution of fibre types. Caput superius m. extensoris carpi radialis and caput mediale m. anconei were composed of 4 and 3 fibre types, respectively, in the opposite to the other ones which contained all 5 types of fibres.     

Endocrine cells of the gastric mucosa of Rana temporaria L

The endocrine cells of the gastric mucosa of Rana temporaria have been studied according to the ultrastructure, the staining properties of the granules with Masson Fontana's and Grimelius' silver methods, silver impregnation of Davenport on deplasticised semithin sections and immunocytochemical techniques. Seven different types of endocrine cells have been described. Six were regarded as belonging to known types: G, A, EC, ECL, D and P cells. One type was considered as unclassifiable.     

Caryotypes de Rana temporaria (L.) et de Rana dalmatina (Bonaparte)

The karyotype of Rana temporaria is analysed from preparations of squashed tadpole epidermis, the karyotype of Rana dalmatina from preparations of squashed larval epidermis and adult tissues. For each of these two species, the 26 chromosomes of the karyotype have been divided in two groups according to their length. Inside these two groups, three morphological criteria — relative length, arm-ratio and presence of secondary constriction — permit the identification of each of the component parts. For Rana dalmatina, the analysis of the two meiotic divisions shows that the classification remains possible in two groups. There is no evidence of an heteromorphic pair of chromosomes in these two species. The studies on Rana temporaria and Rana dalmatina are compared to recent ones on other Ranidae.     

Lipidkugeln im Plexusepithel von Rana temporaria L.

Zusammenfassung Das Plexusepithel von Rana temporaria L. enthält zwei verschiedene Typen von Lipidkugeln, die einen Durchmesser bis zu 8 erreichen können. Diese Einschlüsse haben keine Zytomembran. Die Struktur der Einschlußkörper wird mit Hinweisen auf die Fixierung und den Stoffwechsel diskutiert.

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Lipid droplets in the epithelium of the choroid plexus of Rana temporaria L.

Summary The epithelium of the choroid plexus of Rana temporaria L. contains two different types of spherical lipid inclusions up to 8 in diameter. The droplets do not have a limiting membrane. The preservation and metabolism of the lipid bodies are discussed.

Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Funktionsmorphologie des Interrenalorgans von Rana temporaria L.

Zusammenfassung Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen des Interrenalorgans von Rana temporaria nach Aktivierung mit ACTH und Inaktivierung durch Hypophysektomie ergaben auffällige Veränderungen an fast allen Bestandteilen der Zellen dieses Organs.Stimulation mit ACTH bewirkt eine Vergrößerung des ganzen Organs, der einzelnen Zellen, ihrer Zellkerne und Nukleolen sowie eine Vermehrung der Mitochondrien und eine Auflockerung ihrer Struktur. Das Golgifeld wird vergrößert, das Zytoplasma vermehrt. Um die Mitochondrien liegen Membranen des glatten endoplasmatischen Retikulums, während die dichten Liposomen oft von zahlreichen Membranen des rauhen endoplasmatischen Retikulums umgeben sind. Nach anfänglicher Vergrößerung verschwindet das labyrinthartige Interzellularspaltensystem schließlich fast ganz. Die Zellvermehrung erfolgt auf amitotischem Wege. Diese morphologischen Veränderungen sind Anzeichen einer gesteigerten Aktivität des Organs. Sie werden durch die histochemischen Befunde einer erhöhten Basophilie und gesteigerten Steroiddehydrogenase-Aktivität ergänzt.Bei Inaktivierung des Organs durch Hypophysektomie verkleinern sich die Zellkerne und Nukleolen sowie das Golgifeld. Die elektronenleeren Vakuolen vermehren sich. Die Matrix der Mitochondrien wird dichter, und die Tubuli werden eng gepackt. Deutliche Kriterien der Inaktivität sind weiter die verminderte Basophilie und die geringere Steroiddehydrogenase-Aktivität.Die funktionelle Bedeutung der verschiedenen Zellstrukturen wird in Verbindung mit biochemischen Daten der Steroidsynthese diskutiert.

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Functional morphology of the interrenal organ in the frog, rana temporaria L

Summary Light and electron microscopical investigations of the interrenal organ of Rana temporaria after activation by ACTH and inactivation by hypophysectomy resulted in striking alterations of nearly every organelle of the cells.Stimulation with ACTH causes an enlargement of the whole organ, the individual cells, and their nucleus and nucleolus. Moreover there is a marked increase in the number of mitochondria, the tubules of which are less closely packed under these conditions. Also the Golgi field is more voluminous. The mitochondria are surrounded by membranes of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum whereas the membranes around the electron dense lipid droplets are studded with ribosomes. During the initial phase of activation the cellular periphery elaborates a highly irregular system of vacuoles and microvilli, which later disappears again. The number of cells increases by amitosis. These morphological indications of activity are confirmed by a higher activity of steroid dehydrogenase and an increased basophilia of the cytoplasm.After inactivation of the organ by hypophysectomy the nuclei and nucleoli as well as the Golgi field become smaller. The lipid droplets which exhibit no electron density are increased in size and number. The matrix of the mitochondria becomes more electron dense, their tubules are more closely packed, and their diameter decreases. Further indications of inactivity, which can be demonstrated by histochemical methods, are a decreased activity of steroid dehydrogenase and a less pronounced basophilia.The functional significance of the different cell structures is discussed in connection with biochemical data of steroid synthesis.

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Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Die Entwicklung der Keimzellen der Rana Temporaria L.

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Seasonal variations of Rana esculenta L. skin tyrosinase

Various enzymes are known to be involved in melanin biosynthesis, but the key role appertains to tyrosinase. In amphibians this enzyme displays peculiar characteristics: i) it requires an activation process; ii) its level of enzymatic activity in the animal skin changes depending on the season. In this work, by using chymotrypsin, subtilisin and SDS as putative activators, we studied the activation process of the skin pro-tyrosinase of Rana esculenta L. in different seasons over a period of two years. We found that chymotrypsin and subtilisin were able to yield an active enzyme, but not SDS. The maximum levels of tyrosinase activity were recorded in winter and the minimum in summer. We detected tyrosinase activity in the melanosomal fraction, where the enzyme form was least sensitive to proteolytic activation, probably corresponding to a "mature" tyrosinase. The enzyme forms found in the microsomal and soluble fractions were more sensitive to proteolytic activation, probably corresponding to "immature" tyrosinase. On SDS-PAGE, the tyrosinase activity assays showed a dopa-positive band at 200 kDa and a second aggregated band with a still higher molecular mass. The significance of these results in frog melanogenesis regulation is discussed.     

Ultrastructure of the acoustic papillae in the inner ear of Rana temporaria L

With the help of light and scanning microscopy the receptive apparatus of two acoustic papillas (papilla basilaris and p. amphibiorum) of brown frog has been compared. It has been shown that the hair cells of p. amphibiorum are more numerous and some of them differ from those of p. basilaris by the character of arrangement, number of stereocilia and surrounding them supporting cells--by their greater size and density of microvilli.     

Temperaturadaptation der Sauerstoffbindung des Blutes von Rana esculenta L.

Zusammenfassung Bei einer raschen Temperatursteigerung wird die Leistungsfähigkeit des Blutes hinsichtlich der Sauerstoffaufladung durch eine Rechtsverschiebung der Dissotiationskurve herabgesetzt. Rana esculenta besitzt 2 Regulationen, um diesen Effekt zum Teil zu kompensieren. Überführt man kalt-angepaßte Tiere in mittlere Temperaturen und beläßt sie in diesen, so steigert sich durch einen langsam einsetzenden Anpassungsvorgang der Hämoglobingehalt des Blutes. Nach Umsetzen der Frösche in noch höhere Temperaturen wird durch einen weiteren Regulationsvorgang die Sauerstoffaffinität, d. h. der Sauerstoffgehalt, bezogen auf gleiche Hämoglobinmengen, gesteigert, wodurch die Rechtsverschiebung der Dissoziationskurve teilweise wieder rückgängig gemacht wird. Beide Regulationen sind reversibel.Dissertation bei der Philosophischen Fakultät der Universität Kiel, Teil II (Anregung und Anleitung: Prof. Dr. H. Precht). Die photometrischen Messungen wurden mit einem Pulfrich-Photometer ausgeführt, welches die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Herrn Prof. Precht zur Verfügung stellte.     

Polymorphism for supernumerary chromosomes in populations of Rana temporaria L

Occurrence of B-chromosomes in four populations of Rana temporaria L. in Minsk, its suburb and Berezinski? biosphere reserve has been studied. The percentage of individuals with B-chromosomes and the average number of B-chromosomes per genome are shown to multiply increase in the population inhabiting for 40 years in the region polluted with waste products. The results obtained are discussed from the standpoint of the action of mechanism for the accumulation of additional chromosomes due to environmental pollution.