Eosinophilic granule cells and endocytic cells in intestinal wall of pearl gouramy (Anabantidae: Teleostei)

The localization and frequency of eosinophilic granule cells (EGCs) and endocytic cells in the intestinal wall of a teleost, pearl gouramy (Trichogaster leeri), a stomach-containing anabantid, are described. EGCs occurred in high numbers in lamina propria and epithelial layer throughout the entire intestine. They often embraced blood capillaries, but were unable to take up foreign ferritin, i.e. they seem not to play any blood cleansing role in this tissue. Only some of the EGCs granules reacted with Schmorl's solution, suggesting that they are at a different stage of development or of different types in these cells. The granule content is probably secreted close to the intestine blood stream where it may play important local immunological roles. The present results suggest that the number of intestinal EGCs can be high in teleosts even in species with a putative well-developed acid-based defence in the digestive tract. Also, endocytic cells capable of taking up and storing much foreign ferritin were frequently seen in this tissue; such cells may play significant cleansing and scavenger roles throughout the entire intestine in pearl gouramy.