Morphological, cytological, and biochemical changes of Anguilla anguilla L. gills deprived of Stannius corpuscles (S. C.)
Chartier, M.M.; Milet, C.; Lopez, E.; Lallier, F.; Martelly, E.; Warrot, S.
Journal de Physiologie 73(1): 23-36
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-7948 PMID: 886479 Document Number: 123251
In the silver eel (A. anguilla) maintained in fresh water, surgical removal of Stannius corpuscles (SC) resulted in a significant increase of wet weight of gill cells and the dry weight of gill filaments expressed as a function of body weight; a proliferation and a hypertrophy of chloride cells shown by a significant rise of cell volume expressed as a percentage of the epithelial volume; and an increase of the Ca binding protein activity in the total branchial mucosa. These modifications are not observed when eels are maintained in Ca-free water. The results are discussed in relation to the Ca fluxes across gills in eels deprived of SC and gill morphological changes during sea water adaptation.