Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Interpretation of crayfish hepatopancreatic function based on fine structural analysis of epithelial cell lines and muscle network

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The ultrastructure of R-, F-, and B-cells and of the myoepithelial network in crayfish hepatopancreas tubules was studied as a basis for the functional interpretation of hepatopancreatic digestive activity:

  1. 1.

    R-cells absorb luminal nutrients, mainly via contact digestion and molecular transport, and they store and metabolize glycogen and lipids. To this extent, R-cells combine the functions of vertebrate intestinal absorptive and hepatic parenchymal cells.

  2. 2.

    F-cells synthesize digestive enzymes and sequester them in a supranuclear vacuole which enlarges by pinocytic intake of luminal nutrients and fluids.

  3. 3.

    F-cell to B-cell transformation results from continued engorgement of the F-cell's supranuclear vacuole until only the nuclear region and a pinocytically activeapical complex remain identifiable.

  4. 4.

    B-cell secretion involves pinching off of the apical complex followed by extrusion of the enzyme-rich vacuolar contents.

  5. 5.

    The tubule's myoepithelial network consists of circular fibers, each containing a single myofibril, which branch to form longitudinal fibers. Sarcomeres are long (10–12 μ) and each thick myofilament is surrounded by 11–13 thin ones. This arrangement permits coordinated, tonic contractions of tubule segments which transport nutrients “in” and enzymes “out”.

  6. 6.

    Neurosecretory control of tubular function is suggested by the presence of vesicle-containing, extratubular cell processes which contact the circular muscle fibers.

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

  • Atwood, H. L.: Crustacean neuromuscular mechanisms. Amer. Zoologist7, 527–552 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunt, A. H.: An ultrastructural study of the hepatopancreas ofProcambarus clarkii (Girard) (Decapoda, Astacidea). Crustaceana15, 282–288 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, S. L., Jr.: The ingestion of proteins and colloidal materials by columnar absorptive cells of the small intestine in suckling rats and mice. J. Biophys. Biochem. Cytol.5, 41–49 (1959).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, L. E., Burnett, A. L.: A study of growth and cell differentiation in the hepatopancreas of the crayfish. Develop. Biol.10, 122–153 (1964).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dobbins, W. O.: Morphologic and functional correlates of intestinal brush borders. Amer. J. Med. Sci.258, 150–171 (1969).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dorman, H. P.: The morphology and physiology of the hepatopancreas ofCambarus virilis. J. Morph.45, 505–535 (1928).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fingerman, M., Dominiczek, T., Miyawaki, M., Oguro, C., Yamamoto, Y.: Neuroendocrine control of the hepatopancreas in the crayfishProcambarus clarkii. Physiol. Zool.40, 23–30 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Miyawaki, M., Oguro, C., Dominiczak, T.: Neurosecretory control of ribonucleic acid in crayfish hepatopancreas. Proc. int. Congr. Zool.2, 75 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Yamamoto, Y.: Neuroendocrine control of the crustacean hepatopancreas. Biol. Bull.129, 389–390 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Flax, M. H., Himes, M. H.: Microspectrophotometric analysis of metachromatic staining of nucleic acid. Physiol. Zool.25, 297–311 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Frenzel, J.: Die Mitteldarmdrüse des Flußkrebses und die amitotische Zelltheilung. Arch. mikr. Anat.41, 389–451 (1893).

    Google Scholar 

  • Himes, M., Moriber, L.: A triple stain for desoxyribonucleic acid, polysaccharides and proteins. Stain Technol.31, 67–70 (1956).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch, G. C., Jacobs, W.: Der Arbeitsrhythmus der Mitteldarmdrüse vonAstacus leptodactylus. I. Methodik und Technik: Der Beweis der Periodizität. Z. wiss. Biol.8, 102–144 (1928).

    Google Scholar 

  • — —: Der Arbeitsrhythmus der Mitteldarmdrüse vonAstacus leptodactylus. II. Wachstum als primärer Faktor des Rhythmus eines polyphasischen organischen Sekretionssystems. Z. wiss. Biol.12, 524–558 (1930).

    Google Scholar 

  • Huxley, T. H.: An introduction to the study of zoology illustrated by the crayfish, chap. II. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1910.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ito, S.: The enteric surface coat on cat intestinal microvilli. J. Cell biol.27, 475–491 (1965).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, W.: Untersuchungen über die Cytologie der Sekretbildung in der Mitteldarmdrüse vonAstacus leptodactylus. Z. Zellforsch.8, 1–62 (1928).

    Google Scholar 

  • Keim, W.: Das Nervensystem vonAstacus fluviatilis. Ein Beitrag zur Morphologie der Decapoden. Z. wiss. Zool.113, 485–545 (1915).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurosumi, K.: Electron microscopic analysis of the secretion mechanism. Int. Rev. Cytol.11, 1–117 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurtz, S. M.: The salivary glands. In: S. M. Kurtz, Electron microscopic anatomy, p. 97–122. New York: Academic Press 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loizzi, R. F.: Fine structure of the crayfish hepatopancreas. J. Cell Biol.39, 82a (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Peterson, D.: Lipase localization in crayfish hepatopancreas. Amer. Zoologist9, 583 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • - - Lipolytic sites in crayfish hepatopancreas and correlation with fine structure Comp. Biochem. Physiol. (in press)

  • Mazia, D., Brewer, P. A., Alfert, M.: The cytochemical staining and measurement of protein with mercuric bromphenol blue. Biol. Bull.104, 57–67 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Miyawaki, M., Matsuzaki, M., Sasaki, N.: Histochemical studies on the hepatopancreas of the crayfish,Procambus clarkii. Kumamoto J. Sci., Ser. B5, 161–169 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Tanoue, S.: Electron microscopy of the hepatopancreas in the crayfish,Procambus clarkii. Kumamoto J. Sci., Ser. B6, 1–12 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogura, K.: Midgut gland cells accumulating iron or copper in the crayfishProcambarus clarkii. Annot. Zool. Jap.32, 133–142 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Palay, S., Karlin, L. J.: An electron microscopic study of the intestinal villus. J. Biophys. Biochem. Cytol.5, 363–371 (1959).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pump, W.: Über die Muskelnetze der Mitteldarmdrüse von Crustaceen. Arch. mikr. Anat.85, 167–218 (1914).

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, K. C.: Contractile tissues in the mammary gland with special reference to the myoepithelium in the goat. Proc. roy. Soc. B136, 30–45 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rouiller, Ch., Jezequel, A. M.: Electron microscopy of the liver. In: Ch. Rouiller, The liver, vol. I, Morphology, biochemistry, physiology, p. 195–264. New York: Academic Press 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultz, H., Paola, D. de: Delta-Cytomembranen und lamelläre Cytosomen: Ultrastruktur, Histochemie und ihre Beziehungen zur Schleimsekretion. Z. Zellforsch.49, 125–141 (1958).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Travis, F.: The molting cycle of the spiny lobster,Panulirus argus latralle. IV. Postecdysial histochemical changes in the hepatopancreas and integumental tissues. Biol. Bull.113, 451–479 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ugolev, A. M.: Membrane (contact) digestion. Physiol. Rev.45, 555–595 (1965).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vonk, H. J.: Digestion and metabolism. In: T. H. Waterman, Physiology of Crustacea, vol. I, Metabolism and growth, p. 291–316. New York: Academic Press 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, M.: Über den Bau und die Tätigkeit der sog. Leber der Crustaceen. Arch. mikr. Anat.17, 385–457 (1880).

    Google Scholar 

  • Weel, P. B. van: Processes of secretion, restitution and resorption in gland of midgut ofAtya spinipes newport. Physiol. Zool.28, 40–54 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wissig, S. L., Graney, D. O.: Membrane modifications in the apical endocytic complex of ileal epithelial cells. J. Cell Biol.39, 564–579 (1968).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, Y.: Effect of eyestalk hormones on the midgut gland in the crayfish,Procambarus clarkii (English summary). Dobutsugaki Zasshi69, 195–201 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yonge, C. M.: Studies on the comparative physiology of digestion. II. The mechanism of feeding, digestion, and assimilation inNephrops norvegicus. Brit. J. exp. Biol.1, 343–389 (1924).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, University of Illinois at the Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Robert F. Loizzi

Authors
  1. Robert F. Loizzi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported in part by Institutional Grants from USPHS and ACS.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Loizzi, R.F. Interpretation of crayfish hepatopancreatic function based on fine structural analysis of epithelial cell lines and muscle network. Z.Zellforsch 113, 420–440 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00968548

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00968548

Key-Words

Search

Navigation