Saroj Kumar Ghosh

Histoarchitecture and scanning electron microscopic studies of the olfactory epithelium in the exotic fish Puntius javanicus (Bleeker)

Histoarchitecture and scanning electron microscopic studies of the olfactory epithelium in the exotic fish Puntius javanicus (Bleeker) The olfactory epithelium of Puntius javanicus (Bleeker) was examined methodically with a light microscope (LM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The ovoid olfactory apparatus consists of 25 to 26 primary lamellae arranged on both sides of the narrow median raphe. The sensory epithelium occupies the upper middle and apical half of the olfactory lamellae and consists of receptor cells (both ciliated and microvillus) and mucous cells. The region from basal part of the lamellae to the junction of the median raphe is covered with non-sensory epithelium. The non-sensory epithelium is composed of non-sensory supporting cells, stratified epithelial cells with fingerprint like microridges, and mucous cells. Budowa nabłonka węchowego u egzotycznego gatunku Puntius javanicus (Bleeker) w oparciu o badania przy użyciu elektronowego mikroskopu skaningowego Nabłonek węchowy Puntius javanicus (Bleeker) był systematycznie badany przy pomocy mikroskopu świetlnego (LM) oraz elektronowego mikroskopu skaningowego (SEM). W zarysie obła rozeta aparatu węchowego składa się z 25 do 26 głównych lameli ułożonych po obu stronach wąskiego szwu środkowego. Nabłonek węchowy zawiera centralny szew zwany rdzeniem centralnym. Nabłonek receptorowy zajmuje środkową oraz górną połowę lameli węchowych. Patrząc na to z drugiej strony, region od podstawy lameli do połączenia z szwem środkowym jest ukryty pod nabłonkiem. Z badań przy pomocy SEM wynika, iż nabłonek sensoryczny posiada zarówno urzęsione jak i mikrokosmkowe komórki czuciowe, które są wymieszane i rozmieszczone wzdłuż nabłonka. Z kolei w nabłonku wyściółkowym znajdują się komórki podporowe, uwarstwione komórki nabłonkowe przypominające mikro pręgi linii papilarnych odcisku palca oraz komórki śluzowe. Histologicznie nabłonek węchowy składa się z komórek sensorycznych i komórek podporowych ułożonych naprzemiennie w rzędach, natomiast nabłonek wyściółkowy jest objęty nie urzęsionymi komórkami podporowymi, uwarstwionymi komórkami nabłonkowymi, komórkami śluzowymi oraz niewieloma rozrzuconymi komórkami sensorycznymi.

Histological and Scanning Electron Microscopic Organization and Functional Aspects of the Surface Olfactory Epithelium of the Freshwater Minor Carp, Puntius sophore (Hamilton)

The architecture and fuction of different cells lining the olfactory epithelium of Puntius sophore (Hamilton) have been systematically studied by light and scanning electron microscope. The olfactory organ is ovoid in shape and is complicated by the presence of 16–18 lamellae on both side of the median raphe. The large area of the middle part of the olfactory lamella is covered with sensory epithelium, whereas the distal part mainly occupies by non-sensory epithelium. The sensory epithelium is composed two types of receptor cells (flagellated and microvillous) and stratified epithelial cells. The non-sensory epithelium is made up of stratified epithelial cells and mucous cells. Different cells on the olfactory epithelium have been correlated with the functional significance of the fish concerned.

FINE ANATOMICAL STRUCTURES OF THE INTESTINE IN RELATION TO RESPIRATORY FUNCTION OF AN AIR-BREATHING LOACH, LEPIDOCEPHALICHTHYS GUNTEA (ACTINOPTERYGII: CYPRINIFORMES: COBITIDAE)

Background. The omnivorous freshwater loach, Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Hamilton, 1822) inhibiting unique ecological niche where oxygen content is low. Its alimentary canal is remarkably short, which is surprising con - sidering the fact that this fish is an omnivore. This peculiarity can be correlated with the specific nature of food. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the mucosal adaptation of the intestine in adult L. gun - tea with respective digestive- as well as respiratory function. Materials and methods. The surface design of the mucosa of different sections (anterior, mid, and posterior) of the intestine of L. guntea were studied using light and scanning electron microscope following commonly accept - ed procedures. Results. The mucosa of the anterior intestine was provided with various types of mucosal folds and crowded with almost closely oval or rounded columnar epithelial cells with prominent microridges. The irregular mucosal sur - face of the mid intestine was exemplified by regularly spaced columnar epithelial cells with minute and promi - nent microridges/microvilli. On the contrary, irregular mucosal folds with stumpy villi were detected in the pos - terior intestine. The mucosal surface of that region was made up of columnar epithelial cells containing incon - spicuous microridges. In that region the submucosa was provided with increasing number of blood vessels. Various cellular elements in the anterior and mid intestine were accordingly adapted to serve the important func - tions of absorption and gas exchange. However, the arrangement of low mucosal folds and dense blood capillar - ies in between the folds in the posterior intestine unequivocally suggested its respiratory role. Conclusion. The micro-architectural pattern and cellular architecture of the anterior intestine and middle intestine of L. guntea unequivocally suggests that these two regions are adapted to serve major role of digestion and absorp - tion process. However, major changes that appear in the posterior intestine are considerably reduction of the absorptive area and the penetration of blood capillaries in between the columnar epithelial cells. Therefore, the posterior intestine of L. guntea is probably adapted to suit its role for aerial respiration. However, further investi - gation is needed the detailed physiological processes involved for aerial respiration in the region concerned.

Cyclical changes in interrenal and chromaffin cells in relation to testicular activity of olive barb, Puntius sarana (Hamilton)

Abstract The present study focused on observations of the histological status of adrenocortical tissues and the correlated seasonal changes in testicular activities in Puntius sarana (Hamilton). Interrenal and chromaffin cells were located in the head kidney between the posterior cardinal vein and hemopoietic tissues. Various male germ cells were identified in the testis based on distinctive features, distribution, and staining properties. The cytoplasmic features and the architecture of the interrenal and chromaffin cells varied during different phases of the annual reproductive cycle. The cytoplasm mass was elevated throughout maturation and spawning phases; however, it was weak in the post-spawning and growth phases. The staining intensity changed in the cells showing various phases of secretory efficiency harmonized with the constitution of different testicular cells.

Histological, surface ultrastructural, and histochemical study of the stomach of red piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri (Kner)

Abstract The structural characterization and function of the stomach in the omnivore Pygocentrus nattereri were described using light and scanning electron microscopy. The sac-like stomach was morphologically divided into the cardiac and pyloric regions. The histological structure of the stomach consisted of four layers of the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa. The superficial epithelium of the cardiac stomach was lined with columnar epithelial cells and the glandular epithelium contained numerous gastric glands. Gastric glands were completely absent in the pyloric portion. The mucosal surface of the stomach was a meshwork of various folds, provided with oval or rounded columnar epithelial cells which were densely packed with short, stubby microvilli. The occasional presence of conspicuous gastric pits was surrounded by epithelial cells. The localization and chemical nature of acid and neutral mucins in the various cells of the stomach was studied by employing combined the Alcian Blue-Periodic Acid Schiff (AB-PAS) technique. The deposition of glycogen was detected in the gastric glands as well as in the epithelial lining of the stomach. The utmost reactions for protein and tryptophan were recorded in the gastric glands of mucosa. The cellular organization and histochemical characterization of the stomach are discussed in relation to the feeding and digestion of the fish concerned.

Cellular organization of the olfactory epithelium during growth, maturation, spawning and post-spawning phases of freshwater catfish, Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton, 1822) (Teleostei: Siluriformes)

Cytological status of olfactory epithelium during different reproductive phases of Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton, 1822) were described by light microscopy. The olfactory organ was composed of various lamella contained two principal layer: olfactory mucosa and central core, radiated from midline raphe. A sharp divergence existed between the mucosa of the olfactory lamella and raphe. The olfactory mucosa was distinguished into sensory and non-sensory epithelium, which consisted of polymorphism of receptors, supporting, labyrinth, mucous and basal cells. The central core was made up of loosely disposed connective tissue, nerve fibres and blood capillaries. A well-developed basement membrane was clearly distinguishable in between the olfactory epithelium and central core. The seasonal changes of the olfactory mucosa during growth, maturation, spawning and post-spawning phases was characterized by considering the tallness and architecture of the receptor cells as main criteria along with commute cellular features and staining patterns of different cell types. The structural components of the olfactory epithelium were correlated with the olfaction in the life of fish concerned.

Histomorphological and microanatomical characteristics of the olfactory organ of freshwater carp, Cirrhinus reba (Hamilton)

Abstract The morphoanatomy, cellular organization, and surface architecture of the olfactory apparatus in Cirrhinus reba (Hamilton) is described using light and scanning electron microscopy. The oval shaped olfactory rosette contained 32 ± 2 primary lamellae on each side of the median raphe, and was lodged on the floor of the olfactory chamber. The olfactory lamellae were basically flat and compactly arranged in the rosette. The olfactory chamber communicated to the outside aquatic environment through inlet and outlet apertures with a conspicuous nasal flap in between. The mid dorsal portion of the olfactory lamellae was characterized by a linguiform process. Sensory and non-sensory regions were distributed separately on each lamella. The sensory epithelium occupied the apical part including the linguiform process, whereas the resting part of the lamella was covered with non-sensory epithelium. The sensory epithelium comprised both ciliated and microvillous receptor cells distinguished by the architecture on their apical part. The non-sensory epithelium possessed mucous cells, labyrinth cells, and stratified epithelial cells with distinctive microridges. The functional importance of the different cells lining the olfactory mucosa was correlated with the ecological habits of the fish examined.

Histochemical studies of the olfactory epithelium of brackish-water cichlid fish, Etroplus suratensis (Bloch)

Abstract The localization and detection of silver stain for axons, the chemical nature of mucopolysaccharides, protein, lipid, alkaline phosphatase, and adenosine triphosphatase on the olfactory epithelium of Etroplus suratensis (Bloch) were studied by employing different histochemical techniques. Silver stain was used to detect the occurrence and distribution of different types of axons, if any, in the epithelium and in various layers in the lamella. The chemical nature of acid and neutral mucins in the various regions of the olfactory epithelium was identified by employing the PAS-AB histochemical test. The histochemical localization of basic protein and lipid were recorded in the various cells of the olfactory epithelial lining as well as in the central core. The localization and detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) and adenosine-tri-phosphatase (ATPase) in the different cells lining the olfactory epithelium were discussed with the functional significance of the fish concerned.