Complex secretory products in the oviduct of the plethodontid salamander Bolitoglossa dofleini (Amphibia, Urodela).
The ultrastructure of the secretory granules in the cells of the subdivisions of the oviduct in the neotropical plethodontid salamander Bolitoglossa dofleini was studied by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, we applied the cationic dye Cuprolinic Blue (CB) at different electrolyte concentrations to demonstrate proteoglycans, and the pyrogallol red-copper (PR-C) method to stain proteins at the ultrastructural level. The entire oviduct is lined by a simple epithelium that contains ciliated and microvillous cells in the first subdivision, the aglandular pars recta; microvillous cells show a moderate secretory activity. The following pars convoluta is differentiated into five glandular subdivisions and the aglandular "uterine portion". Especially in the glandular parts, the epithelium is arranged in longitudinal folds. At their crests ciliated and microvillous cells similar to those in the pars recta occur. Gland cells are crowded with secretory granules that differ in their structural complexity (with and without electron-dense spheres or masses; elaborated, homogeneous or granular matrix; spherical; distorted) along the various subdivisions. Further, as suggested by the CB-technique, the cranial subdivisions contain large amounts of sulphated proteoglycans that decrease in the caudal direction. Carboxylated proteglycans appear to be present in all subdivisions examined. Electron-dense spheres of secretory granules are largely free of CB-precipitates, but stain more or less intensely with PR-C. The ultrastructure of the pars recta, and especially the "uterine portion" indicates transporting capability. The epithelial cells of the "uterus" have coated pits and a considerable amount of lysosome-like bodies.
Ehmcke
J
J
Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Entwicklungsbiologie der Universität Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
Clemen
G
G
Greven
H
H
D000818:Animals; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D007211:Indoles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010057:Oviducts / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D012454:Salamandra / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D022142:Secretory Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D004396:Coloring Agents; D007211:Indoles; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011506:Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; C015445:copper phthalocyanine