Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The fine structure of the epidermis of two species of salmonid fish, the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and the brown trout (Salmo trutta L.)

II. Mucous cells

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The fine structure of epidermal mucous cells of two species of salmonid fish has been described. Mucous cells are, next to filament-containing cells, the most commonly encountered cells in fish epidermis. The development of the cells as they progress to the periphery has been characterised. They are initially difficult to distinguish from filament-containing cells: later, they can be recognised by the presence of much smooth-surfaced E.R. The mucigenesis and the subsequent secretion of mucus has been observed and it is essentially comparable to that which occurs in the mucous cells of the mammalian intestine. The mucous layer of the epidermal surface seems to mainly comprise of the products of these mucous cells and the “cuticle” seen in other species has not yet been observed in the salmonid species investigated here.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Askawa, M.: Histochemical studies of the mucus on the epidermis of eel, Anguilla japonica. Bull. Jap. Soc. Sci. Fish 36, 83–87 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertin, L.: Peau et pigmentation. In: Traité de zoologie (P.P. Grassé, ed.) vol. 13, p. 433 (1958)

  • Bierring, F.: Electron microscope observations on the mucus production in human and rat intestinal goblet cells. Acta path. microbiol. scand. 54, 241–253 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolognani-Fantin, A.M., Bolognani, L.: Observations on the histochemistry and biochemistry of cutaneous mucus of Anguilla vulgaris. Int. Kongr. Hist. Cytochem. 17, 183–184 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Downing, S.W., Novales, R.R.: The fine structure of lamprey epidermis. I. Introduction and mucous cells. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 35, 282–294 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, J.A.: Fine structure of the goblet cell mucous secretory process. Anat. Rec. 44, 341–352 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, J.E., Hunt, S.: Epithelial mucins of the Atlantic salmon (Salmon salar L.). Trans. Biochem. Soc. 1, 98–100 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, J.E., Hunt, S.: The fine structure of the epidermis of two species of salmonid fish, the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and the brown trout (Salmo trutta L.). I. General organisation and filament-containing cells. Cell Tiss. Res. 157, 553–565 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, J.E., Watson, A., Hunt, S.: Histochemical analysis of mucous cells in the epidermis of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.). J. Fish Biol. 5, 345–351 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrickson, R.C., Matolsty, A.G.: The fine structure of teleost epidermis. I. Introduction and filament-containing cells. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 21, 194–212 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitzan, S.M., Sweeney, P.R.: A light and electron microscope study of the structure of the Protopterus annectens epidermis. I. Mucus production. Canad. J. Zool. 46, 767–772 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Leppi, T.J.: Morphochemical analyses of mucous cells in the skin and slime glands of hagfish. Histochemie 15, 68–78 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Neutra, M., Leblond, C.P.: Synthesis of the carbohydrate of mucus in the Golgi complex as shown by electron microscope radioautography of goblet cells from rats injected with glucose-H3. J. Cell Biol. 30, 119–136 (1966a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Neutra, M., Leblond, C.P.: Radioautographic comparison of the uptake of galactose-H3 and glucose-H3 in the Golgi region of various cells secreting glycoproteins or mucopolysaccharides. J. Cell Biol. 30, 137–150 (1966b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oosten, J. van: Skin scales. In: The Physiology of fishes (ed. M.E. Brown), p. 207. New York: Academic Press 1957

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickering, A.D.: The distribution of mucous cells in the epidermis of the brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) and the char (Salvelinus alpinus) (L). J. Fish Biol. 6, 111–118 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, E.W.: The process of secretion in the skin of the common eel. Phil. Trans. B 185, 319–354 (1894)

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitear, M.: The skin of bony fishes. J. Zool. Lond. 180, 437–454 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zelickson, A.S.: Ultrastructure of normal and abnormal skin. Philadelphia: Febiger 1967

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lancaster, Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK

    J. E. Harris & S. Hunt

Authors
  1. J. E. Harris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Hunt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

We would like to thank Mrs. A. Watson and Mr. K. Oates for invaluable assistance with the microscopy, the Lancashire River Authority for the provision of fish and the National Environment Research Council for research funds (Grant No. GR/3/1152).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Harris, J.E., Hunt, S. The fine structure of the epidermis of two species of salmonid fish, the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and the brown trout (Salmo trutta L.). Cell Tissue Res. 163, 535–543 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218498

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218498

Key words

Search

Navigation