Modification of mitochondria-rich cells in different ionic conditions: changes in cell morphology and cell number in the skin of Xenopus laevis.
Xenopus laevis were kept in salt water (1.25% NaCl), distilled water, or tapwater for a month. Compared to the animals kept in tap water, the number of mitochondria-rich (MR) cells in the NaCl-adapted animals was significantly reduced, while it was increased in those maintained in distilled water. In addition, the MR-cells of NaCl-adapted animals lost their slender flask shape and developed large deposits of glycogen. The alteration of this cell type in conditions of high or low salinity may reflect a role of MR-cells in adaptation to different ionic environments.
D000818:Animals; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014981:Xenopus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006003:Glycogen