Skip to main content

Ultrastructure and lipid content of the liver of the zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio, related to vitellogenin synthesis

Cell and Tissue Research volume 186, pages 297–308 (1978)Cite this article

Summary

The female zebrafish is capable of producing mature eggs on the fifth day of each reproductive cycle. During this five-day period the ultrastructure of hepatocytes undergoes several changes. The number of nuclear pores increases rapidly during spawning, followed by a proliferation of RER within 24 h. Two days after spawning, glycogen has disappeared and the liver contains large amounts of lipids. The lipid droplets are closely surrounded by elongated mitochondria. Golgi complexes are abundant, secreting dense bodies. Four days after spawning the hepatocytes tend to regain their pre-spawning appearance. It is suggested that the changes in the hepatocytes, which coincide with special phases of ovarian activity, are related to vitellogenin synthesis. Steroids, especially estradiol-17β, may trigger this process in the liver.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Byczkowka-Smyck, W.: The ultrastructure of hepatic cells of the carp (Cyprinus carpio) and the gudgeon (Gobio gobio). Acta Biol. Crac. 13, 105–110 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Byczkowky-Smyck, W.: Observations on the ultrastructure of hepatic cells of the stone loach (Nemachilus barbatulus L.) and perch (Perca fluviatilis L.). Acta Biol. Crac. 14, 151–156 (1971a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Byczkowka-Smyck, W: Observations on the ultrastructure of hepatic cells of the chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.) and roach (Rutilus rutilus L.). Acta Biol. Crac. 14, 279–284 (1971b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, C.M., Idler, D.R.: Hormonal control of vitellogenesis in hypophysectomized winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus Walbaum). Gen. comp. Endocr. 28, 143–150 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clemens M.J.: The regulation of egg yolk protein synthesis by steroid hormones. Progr. Biophys. molec. Biol. 28, 71–107 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clemens M.J., Tata, J.R.: Analysis on the effects of estrogen treatment in vivo on the protein synthetic activity of male Xenopus liver cell free system. Europ. J. Biochem., 33, 71–80 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmerson, K.M.: Protein, RNA and DNA metabolism in relation to ovavitellogenic growth in the flounder (Platichtys flesus L.) Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 55B, 315–321 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmerson, K.M., Petersen, I.M.: Natural occurrence and experimental induction by estradiol-17β of a lipophosphoprotein (vitellogenin) in flounder (Platichtys flesus L.). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 54B, 443–446 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Follett, B.K., Redshaw, M.R.: The physiology of vitellogenesis. In: Physiology of the amphibia. Vol. II (B. Lofts, ed.), pp. 208–215. New York: Acad. Press 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Gas, N.: Cytophysiologie du foie de carpe II. Modalités d'alteration consécutives au maintien des conditions hivernales. J. Physiol. (Paris) 66, 283–289 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, W.E.: Estradiol induced vitellogenesis and concomitant fat mobilisation in the lizard, Uta stamburiana. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 23, 83–95 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hisaoka, K.K., Firlit, C.F.: The lozalisation of nucleic acid during oogenesis in the zebrafish. Amer. J. Anat. 110, 203–216 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ito, T.A., Watanabe, O., Takahashi, A.: Histologische und cytologische Untersuchungen der Leber bei Fischen und Cyclostomata, nebst Bemerkungen über die Fettspeicherungszellen. Arch. Histol. Jap. 22, 429–463 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamieson, J.D., Palade, G.E.: Intracellular transport of secretory proteins in the pancreatic exocrine cell. J. Cell Biol. 39, 589–603 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Korfsmeier, K.H.: Zur Genese der Dottersystems in der Oocyte von Brachydanio rerio. Autoradio-graphische Untersuchungen. Z. Zellforsch. 71, 283–296 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, J.G.D., Oordt, P.G.W.J. van: Ovarium hormones in teleosts. Fortschr. Zool. 22, 340–349 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, J.A., Clemens, M.J., Tata, J.R.: Morphological and biochemical changes in the hepatic reticulum and Golgi apparatus of male Xenopus laevis, after induction of egg yolk synthesis by estradiol 17β. Mol. Cell Biol. 4, 311–329 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maul, G.G., Price, J.W., Lieberman, M.W.: Formation and distribution of nuclear pore complexes in interphase. J. Cell Biol. 51, 405–418 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Munn, E.A.: The structure of mitochondria. London-New York: Acad. Press 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholls, T.J., Follett, B.K., Evennett, P.J.: The effects of oestrogens and other steroid hormones on the ultrastructure of the liver of Xenopus laevis Daudin. Z. Zellforsch. 90, 19–27 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Philips, A.M.: Nutrition, digestion and energy utilisation. In: Fish physiology (W.S. Hoar and D.J. Randall, ed.), pp. 391–432. New-York-London: Acad. Press 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Plack, P.A., Fraser, N.W.: Incorporation of L-14C-leucine into egg protein by liver-slice from cod. Biochem. J. 121, 857–862 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, E.J.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheer, U.: Nuclear pore flow rate of ribosomal RNA and chain growth of its precursor during oogenesis of Xenopus laevis. Develop. Biol. 30, 13–28 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tata, J.R.: The expression of the vitellogenin gene. Review. Cell 9, 1–14 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tata, J.R., Baker, B.: Differential subnuclear distribution of polyadenylate rich ribonucleic acid during induction of egg yolk protein synthesis in male Xenopus laevis liver by estradiol-17β. Biochem. J. 150, 345–355 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Te Heesen, D.: Immunologische Untersuchungen an exo- und endogenen Dotterproteinen von Brachydanio rerio (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) und verwandten Arten. Zool. Jb. Anat. 97, 566–582(1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Uhlrich, E.: Etude des ultrastructures au cours de la vitellogénèse chez un poisson téléostéen, Brachydanio rerio. J. Microsc. 8, 447–478 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Gaag, M., Lambert, J.G.D., Peute, J., Oordt, P.G.W.J. van: Ultrastructural aspects of the liver of the female zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio, during the reproductive cycle. J. Endocr. 72, 50P-51P (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ververgaert, P.H.J.Th.: Ultrastructural analysis of model membranes. An electron microscopical study. Thesis, Utrecht, 1973

  • Weis, P.: Hepatic ultrastructure of two species of normal, fasted and gravid teleost fishes. Amer. J. Anat. 133, 317–332 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Welsch, U.N., Storch, V.N.: Enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural observations on the liver of teleost fishes. Arch. Histol. Jap. 36, 21–37 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wendelaar Bonga, S.E., Greven, J.A.A., Veenhuis, M.: The relationship between the ionic composition of the environment and the secretory activity of the endocrine cell types of Stannius corpuscules in the teleost Gasterosteus aculeatus. Cell Tiss. Res. 175, 297–312 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiener, J., Loud, A.F., Kinberg, D.V., Spiro, D.: A quantitative description of cortisone induced alterations in the ultrastructure of rat liver parenchymal cells. J. Cell Biol. 37, 47–62 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittliff, J.L., Kenney, F.T.: Regulation of yolk protein synthesis in amphibian liver: I. Induction of lipovitellin synthesis by estrogen. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 269, 485–492 (1972a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittliff, J.L., Kenney, F.T.: Regulation of yolk protein synthesis in amphibian liver: II. Elevation of ribonucleic acid synthesis by estrogen. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 269, 493–504 (1972b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, M., Egami, N.: Sexual differences and age changes in the fine structure of hepatocytes in the medaka, Oryzias latipes. J. Fac. Sci Univ. Tokyo, Sec. IV 13, 199–210 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, T.: Some observations on the structure of the intra-hepatic biliary passages in goldfish (Carassius auratus L.). Z. Zellforsch. 65, 319–332 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahnd, J.P.: Modifications hépatiques liées au cycle ovarien chez deux poissons ovovivipares, Xiphophorus helleri et Lebistes reticulatus. Arch. Anat. micr. Morph. exp. 48, 231–259 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Zoological Laboratory, Section Comparative Endocrinology, State University of Utrecht, The Netherlands

    J. Peute, M. A. van der Gaag & J. G. D. Lambert

Authors
  1. J. Peute
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. A. van der Gaag
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. G. D. Lambert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The authors are indebted to Dr. P.H J.Th. Ververgaert (Molecular Cell Biology, Utrecht) for kindly offering facilities and advice during the freeze-etch study. They are also grateful to Prof. Dr. P.G.WJ. van Oordt for reading the manuscript, to Mr. J.J. van der Vlis for preparing the drawing, and to Mr. L.W. van Veenendaal for making the photographs

Preliminary results of this study were presented at the 6th British-Dutch Endocrine Meeting; see Van der Gaag et al., 1976

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Peute, J., van der Gaag, M.A. & Lambert, J.G.D. Ultrastructure and lipid content of the liver of the zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio, related to vitellogenin synthesis. Cell Tissue Res. 186, 297–308 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225539

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225539

Key words

  • Liver
  • Teleost
  • Ultrastructure
  • Lipid
  • Vitellogenesis