Summary
The fine structure of the kidney (glomerulus and archinephric duct) of the hagfish, Myxine glutinosa (L.) was studied in thin sections and by freeze-fracture technique.
The glomerular filtration barrier is similar to that of mammalian kidneys. However, endothelial fenestrations are relatively scanty and the basement membranes of endothelial cells and podocytes always appear separated by a layer of collagen fibrils and microfibrils often surrounding numerous and extended mesangial cells. Between podocytes and their processes maculae occludentes and peculiar junctions of another type occur.
The zonulae occludentes between epithelial cells of the archinephric duct are composed of five or more strands, occasionally of only one or two.
Supported in part by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 146, STO B4) and NIH (ISOI-RR 05764).
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We are grateful to Dipl.-Ing. G. Wermbter for her helpful criticism and to Mr. H. Heidreich for his excellent technical assistance.
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Kühn, K., Stolte, H. & Reale, E. The fine structure of the kidney of the hagfish (Myxine glutinosa L.). Cell Tissue Res. 164, 201–213 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218974
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218974