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5‐Hydroxytryptamine in frog's skin
Author(s) -
Welsh John H.,
Zipf Joyce B.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1040680105
Subject(s) - frog skin , rana , biology , dorsum , zoology , predation , anatomy , ecology , chemistry , organic chemistry , sodium
The amounts of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) in the skin of nine species of anurans were estimated by the fluorescence method. Relatively large quantities of 5‐HT were found in the dorsal skin of five species of semi‐terrestrial frogs, while in the skins of four highly aquatic species none, or only a trace, was found. Using the histochemical fluorescence method of Falck, 5‐HT was located in the granules of the venom glands of Rana pipiens , a semi‐terrestrial species, while no fluorescing glands were found in R. catesbeiana , a highly aquatic species. The results of Erspamer and others are discussed. It is suggested that the most probable role of 5‐HT in frog skin is that of defense against land predators.