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The ultrastructure and histochemistry of the mesenteric connective tissue of the cockroach Periplaneta americana L. (Insecta, Dictyoptera)

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Summary

The thick layer of collagenous connective tissue around the mesenteron of the cockroach Periplaneta americana has been examined by light microscopy, electron microscopy and histochemical techniques. This sheath, connected to the mesenteric epithelium by a basal lamina and traversed by longitudinal and circular musculature, tracheae and nerves, contains numerous collagen fibrils, elastic fibers, fibroblasts and rare hemocytes. Development starts during the first instars with the production of connective tissue material by fibroblasts. Glycosaminoglycans have been observed with the use of various histochemical reactions, in particular alcian blue staining, metachromasia and enzymatic digestion. The reactions indicate the presence of hyaluronic acid in the various instars, the appearance and increase of sulphated components during development, and the presence of neutral glycoproteins.

Résumé

La gaine conjonctive épaisse entourant l'intestin moyen de la Blatte Periplaneta americana a été étudiée en faisant appel à la microscopie photonique, électronique et l'histochimie. Cette couche conjonctive, reliée à l'épithélium mésentérique par une lame basale, traversée par des faisceaux musculaires, des trachées et des nerfs, contient de très nombreuses fibrilles de collagène, des fibrilles élastiques, des fibroblastes et des hémocytes. Au cours des premiers stades le matériel conjonctif est élaboré par des fibroblastes. Différentes réactions, en particulier le bleu alcian, la métachromasie et les digestions enzymatiques ont montré la présence de glycosaminoglycanes. La présence d'acide hyaluronique à tous les stades, l'apparition et l'augmentation des composés sulphatés ainsi que la présence de glycoprotéines ont été mises en évidence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Zoologie, Université de Dijon, France

    Jean François

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  1. Jean François
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The author wishes to thank Miss A. Lane for her correction of the English manuscript and Mrs. A. Courrent for her collaboration

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François, J. The ultrastructure and histochemistry of the mesenteric connective tissue of the cockroach Periplaneta americana L. (Insecta, Dictyoptera). Cell Tissue Res. 189, 91–107 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00223123

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00223123

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