title: Histochemical studies on mucosubstances in the prostate gland of the pulmonate snail Semperula maculata in the annual breeding-aestivation cycle.
abstract: Prostate gland of the pulmonate (terrestrial) snail Semperula maculata was studied histochemically for the presence of polysaccharides. PAS technique and differential staining methods employing Alcian blue, aldehyde fuchsin and Azure A at different pH values and combined with enzyme digestion test and lipid extraction were used. Two histochemically different cell types were found in the prostate gland: the type 1 cells which elaborate neutral mucosubstances and supposedly also phospholipoproteins, and type 2 cells producing glycogen. Both these cell types show seasonal fluctuations of the stores of materials secreted by them. Thus in type 1 cells the weakest histochemical reactivity indicating the lowest concentration of their secretion appears just after cessation of the snails' breeding activity (September) and persists throughout the post-breeding and early pre-breeding seasons which both together constitute the aestivation period. During the rest of the pre-breeding season a strong reactivity gradually develops and culminates in May i.e. immediately before the onset of the breeding activities which in turn initiate a decline of the reactivity. The type 2 cells become most reactive in the middle of the pre-breeding season (May) and decrease their reactivity after cessation of the breeding season. The number of both types of cells parallels the reactivity changes.
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks; D004956:Estivation; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D011467:Prostate / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012098:Reproduction; D012621:Seasons; D012908:Snails / Q000502:physiology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides