title: Rapid and selective removal of larval erythrocytes from systemic circulation during metamorphosis of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana.
abstract: Mechanisms of hemoglobin transition during bullfrog metamorphosis were investigated by labeling red blood cells from larvae (L-RBC) and from froglets (A-RBC) with a fluorescent dye, PKH26. The life span of the labeled L-RBC in systemic circulation was significantly shorter when they were injected into the animals at the metamorphic climax, compared to injection into pre- or postmetamorphic animals. The A-RBC had a long life span regardless of the metamorphic stage of the recipient animal. Therefore, L-RBC were selectively removed from the systemic circulation at the time of metamorphic climax. During climax, the labeled L-RBC were ingested by hepatic and splenic macrophages, indicating that macrophages are involved in the specific elimination of L-RBC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, School of Education, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hasebe
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oshima
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kikuyama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007814:Larva; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011892:Rana catesbeiana / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D009930:Organic Chemicals; C070080:PKH 26