DISTRIBUTION OF DIGESTIVE TUBULES AND FINE STRUCTURE OF DIGESTIVE CELLS OF APLYSIA PUNCTATA (CUVIER, 1803)

The distribution of digestive tubules of Aplysia punctatahas been studied in animals under experimental feeding conditions.Histological analysis of the digestive gland has revealed twotypes of tubules, called tubules A and B. Tubules of type Awere composed of basiphilic cells (calcium, excretory and thincells) and tubules of type B were lined by large digestive cellsand basiphilic cells. The latter occur in small groups, usuallyin the corners of the tubules. Type A tubules are involved inion metabolism and show a diphasic cycle (absorptive and reconstitutive)according to the height and the stage of calcium cells. TypeB tubules are involved in digestive processes and display atetraphasic cycle (holding, absorption, fragmentative and reconstitutive)depending upon the height and the stage of the digestive cells.The tetraphasic cycle was compared with the four categoriesof tubules in bivalves. It is proposed that digestive processesmay be continuous in digestive cells of A. punctata. (Received 16 November 1999; accepted 1 October 2000)     

The anatomy and histology of the midgut and hindgut of Charybdis (Goniohellenus) truncata (Fabricius, 1798) (Decapoda: Brachyura)

The midgut of C. (G.) truncata accounts for half of the postgastric intestinal tract. The paired anterior midgut caeca arise just behind the pyloric stomach, on either side of the midgut. The unpaired posterior midgut caecum arises dorsally at the rear end of the midgut, where this joins the hindgut. The midgut and its caeca help in the digestive absorption of food. The hindgut is of ectodermal origin and is lined with chitin of a collagenous nature. The connective tissue of the anterior part of the hindgut is packed with tegumental glands whose secretion contains both sulphated and weakly acidic mucosubstances, which facilitate the passage of faecal matter and help to bind food particles. The digestive gland - the hepatopancreas - opens into the anterior part of the midgut, below the anterior midgut caeca. Histologically, its tubules contain three different types of cells - "F", "R" and "B" cells.     

Studies on the morphology and ultrastructure of the Malpighian tubules of Halobiotus crispae Kristensen, 1982 (Eutardigrada)

The excretory and osmoregulatory system of Halobiotus crispae consists of two lateral and one smaller dorsal Malpighian tubules, which empty into the digestive tract in the transition zone of the midgut and rectum. The tubules are identical at the ultrastructural level, and consist of an initial segment with three large cells, a thin transitional distal part lacking a nucleus, and a proximal part with 9–12 nuclei. The initial segment possesses deep basal infoldings and interdigitating, finger-shaped processes of the plasma membrane, large mitochondria and giant nuclei. The distal part is a short section which supports the initial segment. Cellular offshoots from the succeeding proximal part constitute the distal part. The distal and proximal parts contain intercellular canals with concretions of variable size. The exit of the proximal part into the digestive tract is characterized by the presence of microvilli. Correlated with the different stages in the cyclomorphosis of H. crispae , we observed size variation of the Malpighian tubules; thus, pseudosimplex stages have the largest tubules. We present suggestions concerning the physiology of the tubules and compare the Malpighian tubules of Tardigrada with the Malpighian papillae of Protura.     

Regeneration of radiation-damaged digestive tissues in juvenile Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

Juvenile Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, were irradiated with 16 and 40 krad and their tissues examined histologically. Degenerative syndromes and tissue regeneration processes were determined for the stomach, gut, collecting ducts, and digestive tubules. Following degeneration, tissue regeneration was observed in the digestive tissues of most oysters exposed to 16 krad and in a limited number exposed to 40 krad. Regeneration was first observed in the digestive tubules and subsequently in the stomach, gut, and collecting ducts. Cellular repopulation of the digestive tubules involved epithelialization with large, undifferentiated crypt cells which then differentiated into functional secretory and absorptive cells. Regeneration in the stomach, gut, and collecting ducts was initiated by proliferative islands of small basophilic cells. Mitotic division of those cells and their subsequent differentiation into functional epithelial cells resulted in the rapid restoration and apparent recovery of the affected tissues. The results of these studies indicate that radioresistance of juvenile C. gigas may in part be due to the remarkably efficient regenerative mechanisms involved in replacing injured or lost digestive tissues.     

The digestive gland of Viviparus ater (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Prosobranchia): an ultrastructural and histochemical study

The digestive gland of Viviparus ater was studied using histochemical and ultrastructural methods. Only one cell type was observed in the tubule epithelium of the gland. The cells are involved in an endocytotic process mediated by clathrin-coated vesicles and in the intracellular digestion of food materials (thus they can be regarded as digestive cells). The different stages of digestion and exocytotic extrusion of residual bodies into the tubule lumen were shown by electron microscopy. Very few, small mucocytes are scattered among the digestive cells. Calcium concretions, glycogen-containing cells and endocrine cells are scattered in the area of connective tissue present among the digestive tubules.     

Histopathology of the digestive gland of the bivalve mollusk Crenomytilus grayanus (Dunker, 1853) from southwestern Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan

The histomorphology of the digestive gland of the bivalve mollusk Crenomytilus grayanus from Sivuchya Bay, which is located in the southwest of Peter the Great Bay and subjected to the effect of polluted waters of Tumannaya River, was studied. Pathological changes of the digestive tubules, channels, and connective tissue of the gland were recorded in all the mussels studied. The epithelium of the tubules and channels was characteristic with erosive disturbances and by heavy vacuolization of digestive cells; connective tissue of the gland was specified by cells with lipofuscin (granulocytomes) and by foci of cells necrosis and lysis. Nervous fibers running in the gland were swollen in some mollusks. Strongly basophilic spherical formations, presumably one of the development stages of a parasitic plasmodium, were found in the granulocytomes and among vesicular cells of connective tissue of all the mussels. It was concluded that pathological changes in digestive gland of Gray’s mussel might be caused by chronic pollution of the bay and by parasitic invasion.     

Morphofunctional changes of the digestive gland in the bivalve mollusk Crenomytilus grayanus (Dunker, 1853) in normal conditions and after parasitic invasion by trematodes

Specifics of the digestive cycle were studied in normal individuals of Gray’s mussel Crenomytilus grayanus and in those infested by trematodes from an unpolluted area of the sublittoral zone of Peter the Great Bay in May (during the day), June, July, and August. Four types of tubules corresponding to four phases of the digestive cycle were identified, and three varieties of destructing tubules were distinguished. It was shown that normally phases of absorption and digestion prevailed in the digestive gland. The portion of absorptive tubules (type II) was 95% in spring and 79% in summer. The total portion of destructing and restoring tubules (types III and IV) did not exceed 10% in spring and 20% in summer, and portion of tubules at the initial condition (type I) was 4% in spring and 2% in summer. During the day, insignificant variations in the ratio of different type tubules were recorded. It was revealed that, normally, granulocytomes were formed during utilization of necrotic tubules. Parasitic invasion of trematodes entailed swelling of the gland and a change in the proportion of tubules: the number of absorptive tubules decreased to 20%, the number of destructing and restoring tubules increased up to 60% and 12%, respectively.     

Morphology of the symbiosis between Corculum cardissa (Mollusca: Bivalvia) and Symbiodinium corculorum (Dinophyceae).

Light and transmission electron microscopy of tissues of the symbiotic clam Corculum cardissa (L) showed that a symbiotic dinoflagellate, Symbiodinium corculorum (Trench), is found predominantly in the mantle and the gills. The data suggest that in C. cardissa the algae are located in a zooxanthellal tubular system that is associated with the hemocoel and is similar to that seen in tridacnine ("giant") clams. The algae occur within the lumen of the tertiary tubules and are thus separated from the hemolymph by a tissue that is one cell layer thick. Under a light microscope the tertiary tubules appear as rows of symbionts originating from the digestive diverticulum, presumably branching from the primary tubules that are also seen in symbiotic tridacnine clams. This morphological arrangement is discussed with regard to the ontogeny and the evolution of the tubular system within symbiotic bivalves.     

The potential role of spherocrystals in the detoxification of essential trace metals following exposure to Cu and Zn in the fighting conch <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strombus</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lobatus</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">pugilis</Emphasis>

Crypt cells—one of the three cell types composing Strombidae digestive tubules—are characterized by the presence of numerous metal-containing phosphate granules termed spherocrystals. We explored the bioaccumulation and detoxification of metals in Strombidae by exposing wild fighting conch Strombus pugilis for 9 days to waterborne CuSO₄ and ZnSO₄. The total amount of Cu and Zn was determined in the digestive gland and in the rest of the body by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analyses. The digestive gland spherocrystal metal content was investigated based on the semi-quantitative energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental analysis. ICP analyses of unexposed individuals revealed that 87.0?±?5.9% of the Zn is contained in the digestive gland, where its concentration is 36 times higher than in the rest of the body. Regarding Cu, 25.8?±?16.4% of the metal was located in the digestive gland of the control individuals, increasing to 61.5?±?16.4% in exposed individuals. Both Cu and Zn concentrations in the digestive gland increased after exposures, pointing to a potential role of this organ in the detoxification of these metals. EDX analysis of spherocrystals revealed the presence of Ca, Cl, Fe, K, Mg, P, and Zn in unexposed individuals. No difference was found in the relative proportion of Zn in spherocrystals of exposed versus control individuals. Contrastingly, copper was never detected in the spherocrystals from controls and Zn-exposed individuals, but the relative proportion of Cu in spherocrystals of Cu-exposed individuals varied from 0.3 to 5.7%. Our results show the direct role of spherocrystals in Cu detoxification.     

CYCLIC ACTIVITY AND EPITHELIAL RENEWAL IN THE DIGESTIVE GLAND TUBULES OF THE MARINE PROSOBRANCH MAORICRYPTA MONOXYLA (LESSON)

Three cell types are present in tubules of the digestive glandof the marine prosobranch Maoricrypta monoxyla (Lesson). Histochemistry,and feeding and starvation experiments established that themain type, the digestive cell, is involved in endocytotic uptakeof food material from the lumen. Digestion of this materialoccurs within vacuoles, and indigestible material (indicatedby the dye trypan blue) accumulates in basal residual bodiescontaining lipofuscin pigment. Another cell type, the cryptcell, appears to secrete a glycoprotein, probably enzymaticin function. The third cell type contains large vacuoles butit has not been Established whether the contents are secretoryor excretory. The tubules undergo a cycle of digestive activity not relatedto the tidal cycle as in some marine molluscs, but probablyan indirect result of the feeding regime. The cycle begins withimmature tubules in which some endocytosis occurs. These developinto absorbing tubules involved mainly in food uptake. In maturetubules intracellular digestion occurs. At a later stage thetubules fragment to produce spherules which may conserve usefulmaterial, and finally they, disintegrate completely. Eighty per cent of the dividing cells in the epithelium occurin crypts, which are therefore considered to be the main sitesof epithelial renewal. The processes by which tubules may bereformed after breakdown are discussed (Received 28 September 1978;     

The morphofunctional characterization and ploidy levels of the digestive gland cells in prosobranch gastropod mollusks (Prosobranchia: Gastropoda) with special reference to somatic polyploidy

The histological organization and ploidy levels of the digestive gland cells in 34 species of prosobranch gastropod mollusks that belong to the subclasses Patellogastropoda, Vetigastropoda, and Caenogastropoda (orders Littorinimorpha and Neogastropoda) were investigated using histochemical methods and cytophotometry of nuclear DNA. Two general types of differentiated cells, viz., digestive and basophilic (secretory-calcium), were identified in the epithelium of the digestive tubules. In Vetigastropoda and Neogastropoda species, all the cells are mostly diploid. In representatives of Patellogastropoda and Littorinimorpha, the digestive cells are diploid as well, but basophilic cells of many species reach polyploidy levels of 4–8c and in some species, even 4–8–16c. Cases of somatic polyploidy in basophilic cells are considered as adaptive modifications of histogenesis associated with the peculiarities of the environment (intensified metabolism in osmotically tolerant Littorina and Lottia species), the duration of ontogenesis (the short life cycle in Lacunida species), and a specific diet.     

Life-cycle and functional cytology of the hepatopancreatic cells of Astacus astacus (Crustacea,Decapoda)

Summary The hepatopancreas of the freshwater crayfish Astacus astacus was reinvestigated by means of light and electron microscopy using refined techniques of tissue preservation. The results contribute significantly to the solution of controversial problems of the decapod hepatopancreas such as cell genealogy, cellular interdependences, elimination of senescent cells and functional interpretation of the cell types. The three mature cell types of the organ, R-, F- and B-cells, are shown to originate independently from embryonic E-cells which are located at the blind-ending tips of the hepatopancreatic tubules. The less abundant M-cells are supposedly of non-hepatopancreatic origin since they are also found in other epithelia of the digestive tract. Differentiating cells can be assigned at an early stage to one of the three hepatopancreatic cell lines if the ultrastructural appearance and distribution pattern of their organelles are used as distinguishing features. The most sensitive markers are the Golgi bodies which have a cell-specific architecture and secretion product not only in mature cells but also in early differentiating stages. Later conversion of one cell type into another, as has often been proposed in literature, does not occur. Senescent cells are preferably expelled from the epithelium at the junction of neighbouring hepatopancreatic tubules and at the antechamber which links the hepatopancreas to the main digestive tract. Cellular discharge in the antechamber occurs by sliding of the oldest parts of the hepatopancreatic epithelium across a particular antechamber epithelium that was thus far unknown. New ultrastructural findings are described with respect to the absorptive apparatus of nutrient absorbing R-cells, the formation of Golgi vesicles and retrieval of membranes in digestive enzyme synthesizing F-cells, and the involvement of Golgi body and endoplasmic reticulum in the formation of heterophagic vacuoles in B-cells. The discovery of these ultrastructural features enables a more sophisticated functional interpretation of the hepatopancreatic cells of Decapoda.     

Comparative midgut ultrastructure of unfed larvae and adult mites of Platytrombidium fasciatum (C.L. Koch, 1836) and Camerotrombidium pexatum (C.L. Koch, 1837) (Acariformes: Microtrombidiidae)

The midgut of unfed larvae and adult mites of Platytrombidium fasciatum (C.L. Koch, 1836) and Camerotrombidium pexatum (C.L. Koch, 1937) (Acariformes: Microtrombidiidae) was investigated by electron microscopy. The sac-like midgut occupies the entire body volume, ends blindly and is not divided into functionally differentiated diverticula or caeca. The midgut walls are composed of one type of digestive cell that greatly varies in shape and size. In larvae, the lumen of the midgut is poorly recognizable and its epithelium is loosely organized, although yolk granules are already utilized. In adults, the midgut forms compartments as a result of deep folds of the midgut walls, and the lumen is well distinguished. The epithelium is composed of flat, prismatic or club-like cells, which may contain nutritional vacuoles and residual bodies in various proportions that depend on digestive stages. In both larvae and adult mites, parts of cells may detach from the epithelium and float within the lumen. The cells contain a system of tubules and vesicles of a trans-Golgi network, whereas the apical surface forms microvilli as well as pinocytotic pits and vesicles. Lysosome-like bodies, lipid inclusions and some amount of glycogen particles are also present in the digestive cells. Spherites (concretions) are not found to be a constant component of the digestive cells and in adult mites occur for the most parts in the midgut lumen.     

Post-embryonic development of the Malpighian tubules in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera) workers: morphology,remodeling, apoptosis,and cell proliferation

The honeybee Apis mellifera has ecological and economic importance; however, it experiences a population decline, perhaps due to exposure to toxic compounds, which are excreted by Malpighian tubules. During metamorphosis of A. mellifera, the Malpighian tubules degenerate and are formed de novo. The objective of this work was to verify the cellular events of the Malpighian tubule renewal in the metamorphosis, which are the gradual steps of cell remodeling, determining different cell types and their roles in the excretory activity in A. mellifera. Immunofluorescence and ultrastructural analyses showed that the cells of the larval Malpighian tubules degenerate by apoptosis and autophagy, and the new Malpighian tubules are formed by cell proliferation. The ultrastructure of the cells in the Malpighian tubules suggest that cellular remodeling only occurs from dark-brown-eyed pupae, indicating the onset of excretion activity in pupal Malpighian tubules. In adult forager workers, two cell types occur in the Malpighian tubules, one with ultrastructural features (abundance of mitochondria, vacuoles, microvilli, and narrow basal labyrinth) for primary urine production and another cell type with dilated basal labyrinth, long microvilli, and absence of spherocrystals, which suggest a role in primary urine re-absorpotion. This study suggests that during the metamorphosis, Malpighian tubules are non-functional until the light-brown-eyed pupae, indicating that A. mellifera may be more vulnerable to toxic compounds at early pupal stages. In addition, cell ultrastructure suggests that the Malpighian tubules may be functional from dark-brown-eyed pupae and acquire greater complexity in the forager worker bee.     

Fine structure and function of the digestive cell of Sepia officinalis (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

The post–embryonic development of the digestive gland has been studied by light and electron microscopy on animals reared in the laboratory. The gland reaches its "adult" structure around the end of the first month after hatching.
The infrastructural changes of the digestive gland have been followed during digestion at various ages (5,10,20,30 days and "adult"); ferritin was used for a tracer to study absorption.
These experiments have produced evidence of endocytosis intake of large proteins and further intracellular digestion inside the digestive cell. The residues of digestion are excreted in a "brown body" while the metabolites are used in new syntheses for the cell itself. These results demonstrate that "ancestral" digestive processes have been kept in at least one cephalopod.     

Protonephridial Excretory System in Vestimentifera (Siboglinidae,Annelida)

Ultrastructural study of the excretory tree of vestimentifera Ridgeia piscesae has shown that it consists of tubules that are blind at their distal ends. The tubules are lined with ciliated cells and have one or two multiciliated terminal cell(s) at the distal ends. In the tubule walls, there are putative ultrafiltration sites. The excretory tree tubules are interpreted as the secondary protonephridia.     

Location of immunoreactive leucine enkephalin in the digestive gland of the Mollusca Mizuhopecten yessoensis (Jay)

Distribution of leu-enkephalin-like peptides in the digestive gland of the Japanese scallop has been investigated by means of the indirect immunohistochemical method. The immunoreactive leu-enkephalin is revealed in supranuclear vacuoles of separate large secretory cells. These cells are situated in epithelium of the digestive tubules along the gland periphery. Their number is from 1-3 up to 5-6 per tubue section. The basal part of the cell and small apical vacuoles do not contain any products of the reaction. It is possible that in the bivalve molluscs, as in vertebrates, the leu-enkephalin-immunoreactive elements participate in regulation of digestion.     

Hepatopancreatic alterations in Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1939) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Penaeidae) experimentally infected with a Vibrio alginolyticus strain

As in other countries, the presence of disease has affected and limited the development of shrimp culture in Venezuela. Vibriosis is one of the most prevalent, causing high mortality not only in larval cultures but also in shrimp production. The present work shows the histological changes in hepatopancreas of Litopenaeus vannamei experimentally induced by a strain of Vibrio alginolyticus. The shrimps were infected by the immersion technique, being exposed to a concentration of 5.2 x 10(7) bacteria/ml. As soon as their behavior indicated a moribund condition, the animals were sacrificed, and their hepatopancreata were fixed and processed for histological observation. Light microscopical observations revealed loss of the acinar structure of the digestive gland and sloughing off of cellular lining because of cytolisis. The acinar cellular content was dispersed within the lumina and among the acini. Clusters of hemocytes, in the majority loaded with bacteria, were observed under the connective tissue capsule surrounding the hepatopancreatic lobes and in the hemal spaces of the connective tissue sheath surrounding the tubules.     

Cellular details of the midgut of Cryptocellus boneti (Arachnida: Ricinulei)

The midgut of Cryptocellus boneti was studied by light and electron microscopy. The epithelia of the diverticula and of the anterior part of the midgut tube are composed of two cell types: digestive and secretory. In contrast, the epithelia of posterior part of the midgut tube and of the stercoral pocket consist of one type of cells only. In some places, parts of the midgut system are connected by an intermediate tissue. Digestive cells are characterized by an apical system of tubules, nutritional vacuoles, and spherites; characteristic features of secretory cells are secretory granules and a prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum. Cells of the midgut tube appear not to be involved in the absorption of food. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Cytochemical and Histochemical Aspects of the Digestive Gland Cells of the Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (L.) in Relation to Function

The epithelium of the digestive tubules of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is comprised of two cell types, namely digestive and basophilic cells. In basophilic cells, the secretory granules are beta-glucuronidase immunoreactive, a fact that enhances the hypothesis that beta-glucuronidase is synthesized in basophilic cells. A novel observation at the ultrastructural level is the pinocytic activity associated with the formation of coated pits. This observation constitutes direct evidence for endocytic processes taking place in basophilic cells. The use of cryostat sections from the same digestive tubules reveals, in many instances, a very pronounced neutral lipid accumulation in the same structures giving a positive reaction for N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase, indicating the association of those lipids with lysosomes. In some mussels, a high content of lipofuscin was observed in the lysosomes of the digestive cells. In these cases, the lysosomal structures show a limited neutral lipid content, and a weaker N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase reaction. In the digestive cells, the carbohydrate content of the lysosomes, and very well-developed canal system in the apical part of cells are discussed in relation to their function.