Summary
The ultrastructure of “chloride cells” in the gills of eels kept in artificial sea water and of a control animal kept in fresh water was studied. In addition to glutaraldehydeosmium tetroxide and simple osmium tetroxide fixation, a special method for the demonstration of chloride ions was used (Komnick, 1962, 1963). Based on the principle of silver chloride precipitation in the presence of chloride ions, the procedure showed positive results in the “chloride cells” of eels adapted to sea water. Smooth-surfaced tubules of the endoplasmic reticulum contained a material of medium to strong electron density, that was often in communication with the plasma membrane. The same material, always of very high density, was present in the intercellular spaces, thus forming conspicuous lines around cells. The silver precipitate was found very often in large quantities in the “pits” of “chloride cells”, having thereby the aspect of a secretory product. However, a direct communication between the system of endoplasmic reticulum tubules containing the silver reaction product with the above-mentioned masses of silver chloride was not demonstrated.
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Schultz (1958) first published an electron micrograph of these cells. Two features, numerous mitochondria and highly developed agranular endoplasmic reticulum, affirmed by all later investigators, have remained the most important criteria for the identification of “chloride cells” (Kessel and Beams, 1962; Philpott, 1962; Philpott and Copeland, 1963; Rhodin, 1964; Henrikson and Matoltsy, 1968). Kessel and Beams (1962) and Philpott and Copeland (1963) demonstrated pits, or “apical cavities” (Oberg, 1967) filled with an amorphous granular substance of medium electron density. (Threadgold and Houston, 1964). These cavities are found in animals adapted to sea water only, and correspond to the excretory vesicles described earlier by Copeland (1948). Philpott and Copeland demonstrated numerous vesicles and tubules in the cytoplasm surrounding the apical cavities and opening into them, possibly contributing to their granular material. Several authors attempted to demonstrate a chloride excretory function of “chloride cells” with the aid of some histochemical reactions. Copeland (1948), Datta Munshi (1964) and Philpott (1966) used silver techniques
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Petřík, P. The demonstration of chloride ions in the “chloride cells” of the gills of eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) adapted to sea water. Z.Zellforsch 92, 422–427 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455599
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455599