title: In situ visualization of o-phthalate esters in gastrointestinal tract of the frog Rana esculenta.
abstract: The regional distribution and relative occurrence of phthalates were studied immunohistochemically by confocal laser scanning microscopy in the alimentary tract of the green frog, Rana esculenta, using an antibody against o-phthalate esters. Many positive sites indicating the basal presence of phthalate esters were identified. The immunoreactive cells were located in the gastric glands of the stomach and in the intestinal epithelium regions with variable frequencies. The regional distribution of phathalate-accumulating cells resembled that of fish and demonstrated that these endocrine disruptors not only enter via the alimentary canal, but also bioaccumulate inside cells specialized in secretion as well as absorption functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Morphology and Biochemistry, University of Camerino, via Gentile III da Varano, Italy. giovanna.menghi@unicam.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Menghi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sabbieti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menghi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Materazzi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004064:Digestive System / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007422:Intestines / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D011893:Rana esculenta; D013270:Stomach / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016707:Tissue Fixation
chemical_list: D010795:Phthalic Acids