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Occurrence and Structure of Iron Inclusions in Adipocytes of Larval Lampreys
Author(s) -
Macey D. J.,
Youson J. H.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1990.tb01071.x
Subject(s) - lamprey , petromyzon , biology , larva , ferritin , zoology , cytoplasmic inclusion , cytoplasm , anatomy , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , biochemistry , fishery
The occurrence and structure of adipocytes in the larvae of two lamprey species, Geotria australis and Petromyzon marinus , were examined by electron microscopy. Adipocytes from both species possessed large electron‐dense inclusions which histochemical and energy dispersal X‐ray analyses show as containing iron. The greatest concentration of inclusions in adipocytes was found in the nephric fold of G. australis . While some iron is present in the cytoplasmic matrix as ferritin, the majority is seen in large ammocoetes in membrane‐bound dense aggregations of haemosiderin. The wide variety of inclusion types seen in smaller larvae may reflect on the method of formation of these inclusions within the cell. Because of the high level of iron loading in the larval lamprey nephric fold, this readily accessible tissue may provide a valuable model for studies of iron metabolism in vertebrates.