title: Serous goblet cells: the protein secreting cells in the oral cavity of a catfish, Rita rita (Hamilton, 1822) (Bagridae, Siluriformes).
abstract: Serous goblet cells in the oral epithelium of Rita rita are characterized by the presence of distinct eosinophilic granules occupying large parts of the cytoplasm. In R. rita, a range of histochemical results reveal that these cells are involved in proteinaceous secretions, and thus likely contribute to various functions analogous to those of mammalian saliva. The secretions of these cells have also been associated with specific functions and are discussed in relation to their physiological importance with special reference to their roles in lubrication, alteration in viscosity, various functions of mucus such as handling, maneuvering and driving of food items toward the esophagus, maintaining taste sensitivity and protection of the oral epithelium. In addition, the serous goblet cells may also be considered as the primary defensive cell of the oral epithelium of R. rita. The results significantly add to very limited set of literature on the serous goblet cells and provide noteworthy information on the mucous secretions in the oral cavity of fish.
authors.affiliation: Skin Physiology Laboratory, Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, Uttar Pradesh, India. Electronic address: madhuyashpal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Madhu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yashpal
authors.affiliation: Skin Physiology Laboratory, Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ajay Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mittal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002397:Catfishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D009055:Mouth / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins
keywords: Catfish; Mucus; Oral cavity; Protein Histochemistry; Rita rita; Serous goblet cells