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Ultrastructural observations on the parathyroid glands of Xenopus laevis Daudin

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Summary

The fine structure of the parathyroid glands of the anuran, Xenopus laevis Daudin is described during the metamorphosis of larvae and in young adults. Two distinct forms of epithelial cells are found viz.: “dark” and “light” cells and the significance of these cell conditions is considered and discussed. Parathyroid glands from young untreated toads are compared and contrasted with glands from toads maintained for prolonged periods in high concentrations, up to 1%, of calcium chloride in aqueous solution. The development of unusual membranous inclusions in the cytoplasm of the experimentally-treated toads is described.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Bedford College, University of London, London, England

    R. Coleman

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  1. R. Coleman
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I am grateful to Messrs. R. L. Jones and Z. Podhorodecki for their expert technical assistance. I would also like to thank Professor N. Millott for his help and encouragement during the course of this work.

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Coleman, R. Ultrastructural observations on the parathyroid glands of Xenopus laevis Daudin. Z. Zellforsch. 100, 201–214 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343880

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343880

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