[Ion tolerance in larvae of Salamandra salamandra L. (Amphibia, Urodele), immersed in distilled water]

Immunohistological classification of ionocytes in the external gills of larval Japanese black salamander, Hynobius nigrescens Stejneger

In this cytological and immunohistological study, we clarified the localization of the membrane transporters Na(+) , K(+) -ATPase (NKA), vacuolar-type H(+) -ATPase (VHA), and epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and distinguished ionocyte subtypes in the gill of the Japanese salamander (Hynobius nigrescens). In larvae (IY stages 43-65), NKA immunoreactivity was observed on the basolateral plasma membrane in more than 60% cells and less than 20% cells in the primary filaments and secondary lamellae of the external gills, respectively. VHA immunoreactivity was observed on the apical membrane of some epithelial cells in the secondary lamellae of the external gills. High ENaCα immunoreactivity was widely observed on the apical cell membrane of a population of squamous cells, presumably pavement cells (PVCs), and mitochondria-rich cells (MRCs), in the primary filaments and secondary lamellae of the external gills. Using double immunofluorescence microscopy, epithelial cell types involved in ionic regulation were characterized and divided into three ionocyte types: NKA-, NKA- and ENaC-, and VHA-positive cells. VHA-immunoreactive cells as well as NKA-positive cells were observed during IY stages 43-65 of the salamander larvae. During late stages of metamorphosis, NKA, VHA, and ENaCα immunoreactivities in the external gills decreased and finally disappeared during the completion of metamorphosis (IY stage 68). PVCs and MRCs in the external gills are probably involved in acid-base balance regulation and osmoregulation in urodele amphibian larvae. The results are discussed in relation to the ionocytes previously reported in fish gills and the frog skin epithelium.

Structure of gill epithelium in Triturus vittatus larvae

The gill epithelium ultrastructure of the larval stage of the newt, Triturus vittatus, has been studied. Two layers can be distinguished: an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer is composed of four cell types: pavement cells, ciliary cells, mitochondria-rich cells (MRC) and round, granule-containing cells. Large numbers of vesicles containing PAS (+) material can be seen in the apical part of the pavement cells. Their outer face is covered with short microvilli. The ciliary cells contain many mitochondria and their surface is adorned with cilia. The mitochondria-rich cells are fully packed with mitochondria. They are unique in having elaborate tubular membranous infoldings, which open on to the surface in a net-like arrangement of long, slender microvilli. Finally, the outer layer contains very few (29 cells in a 35 mm length tissue, or 0.8/1 mm) rounded, granule-containing cells. These granules, of various sizes and shapes, are PAS (-) and contain elaborate Golgi figures. The inner layer is characterized by the presence of numerous, large Leydig cells; 19.56 cells/mm tissue. Finally, large, germinative cells rich in tonofilaments are situated on the basement membrane.