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Fine structure of the oxynticopeptic cells in the gastric glands of the ruin lizard, Podarcis sicula campestris De Betta, 1857
Author(s) -
Liquori Giuseppa Esterina,
Ferri Domenico,
Scillitani Giovanni
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4687(200002)243:2<167::aid-jmor5>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - biology , endoplasmic reticulum , golgi apparatus , ultrastructure , enteroendocrine cell , gastric glands , secretion , gastric chief cell , cytoplasm , foveolar cell , stomach , gastric mucosa , vesicle , anatomy , endocrine system , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , biochemistry , hormone , membrane
Abstract ABSTRACT The results of an ultrastructural investigation of the gastric glands of the ruin lizard are reported. In this reptile the stomach can be divided into a larger fundus and a smaller pars pilorica. Fundic glands are characterized by three main kinds of cells: mucous, endocrine, and oxynticopeptic; the latter were not observed in the pyloric glands. The morphological features of the oxynticopeptic cells change from the proximal to the distal region of the fundic mucosa. In the proximal region, numerous electron‐dense secretory granules, a well‐developed granular endoplasmic reticulum, an evident Golgi complex, and a reduced system of smooth‐surfaced vesicles and tubules in the apical cytoplasm characterize these cells. In the distal fundic region, oxynticopeptic cells possessed numerous mitochondria and a well‐developed smooth‐surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, but secretory granules were rare. These data suggest the existence of a gradient in the production of proteolytic enzymes, and perhaps also of hydrochloric acid, along the oral–aboral axis of the stomach. The results are discussed with regard to the evolution of the gastric glands and of the digestive mechanism in vertebrates. J. Morphol. 243:167–171, 2000 © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.