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Structure of the spleen of the sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ): A light and electron microscopic study
Author(s) -
Quesada J.,
Viilena M. I.,
Agulleiro B.
Publication year - 1990
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/jmor.1052060304
Subject(s) - red pulp , white pulp , dicentrarchus , spleen , biology , anatomy , sea bass , reticular connective tissue , pulp (tooth) , reticular fiber , connective tissue , pathology , fishery , medicine , immunology , fish <actinopterygii> , genetics
The spleen of sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) is composed mainly of red pulp, whereas the white pulp is poorly developed. The red pulp consists of clear reticular cells intermingled with blood cells, sinusoids, and melanomacrophage centers (MMCs). The MMCs are enclosed by an interrupted connective tissue capsule and show some areas in continuity with the adjacent pulp. The MMCs are formed by the association of free macrophages that have phagocytosed some blood cells. Sparse white pulp is diffuse, forming a cuff around the pulp arteries and MMCs, or occurring in small groups between the splenic cords. A longitudinal artery and vein, lying side by side, extend the length of the spleen. Frequently the capillaries are surrounded by a sheath of macrophages or ellipsoids. These macrophages may contain erythrocytes in varying degrees of degradation. Lymphopoiesis and plasmapoiesis occur in the sparse lymphold areas. Abundant plasma cell groups may indicate the presence of antibody production.