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Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study of endocrine cells in the midgut of the cockroach Blaberus craniifer (Insecta, Dictyoptera)

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Summary

The midgut of Blaberus craniifer is principally made up of columnar epithelial cells which are derived from small regenerative cells found grouped in nidi. Between them, small sparsely granulated cells with clear cytoplasm can be observed lying on the basal lamina. Mainly based on the size, shape and texture of their secretory granules, at least ten types of such endocrine cells have been identified. Five cell types contain a uniform population of dense granules: (1) medium-sized, round to oval granules; (2) small elongated granules; (3) large irregular granules; (4) oval granules with a highly osmiophilic core; (5) oval, haloed granules. Five others are characterized by a heterogeneous population of granules: (6) small, round to oval, variably electron-dense granules; (7) oval medium-sized granules of variable electron density; (8) large irregular granules of variable electron density; (9) small dense granules and large vesicles with filamentous material; (10) small dense granules and very large pale vesicles.

In addition, near the regenerative cells, large cells characterized by very large, irregular, dense granules (up to 4 μm), lack contact with the lumen, and reach the basal lamina only by slender cytoplasmic processes.

Several antisera raised against mammalian peptides and amine were used to reveal axonal fibers and endocrine cells. Serotonin-like immunoreactivity is localized in a profuse innervation of the muscle layers that surround the epithelium, whereas cholecystokinin and methionine-enkephalin antisera stain a more moderate number of axonal fibers. Cholecystokinin-, methionine-enkephalin-, substance P-, vasoactive intestinal peptide-, somatoliberin-, and gonadoliberin-like immunoreactivities were detected in endocrine cells of the epithelium. While most of the cells appear pyramidal, oval, fusiform or bowl-shaped, and seem to lack contact with the lumen, cells reaching it have been detected reacting with antisera to cholecystokinin, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide, somatoliberin and gonadoliberin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Biologie Animale et Laboratoire Associé au CNRS n∘ 148: Endocrinologie comparée des Invertébrés-Université des Sciences et Techniques et U, 156 Inserm, Lille, France

    J. C. Andriès & G. Tramu

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  1. J. C. Andriès
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  2. G. Tramu
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Andriès, J.C., Tramu, G. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study of endocrine cells in the midgut of the cockroach Blaberus craniifer (Insecta, Dictyoptera). Cell Tissue Res. 240, 323–332 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222342

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