ABSTRACT
A perivascular tissue made up of two different types of cells (one with a slightly basophilic cytoplasm and many Fe+++ ions, the other with haemopigments) has been demonstrated in Perinereis cultrifera Grübe by means of histochemical and cytochemical techniques. These two types of cells probably cooperate in the production of the respiratory pigment. Treatment with lead nitrate (0.02 ppm) for up to a maximum of five days caused a progressive cytological alteration with inhibition of haemoglobin synthesis.
Subject(s)
Annelida/anatomy & histology , Hemoglobins/biosynthesis , Lead/pharmacology , Nitrates/pharmacology , Animals , Blood Vessels/cytology , Blood Vessels/drug effects , Blood Vessels/metabolism , Cell Membrane Permeability/drug effects , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Histocytochemistry , Iron/metabolism , PigmentationABSTRACT
Physical and cytochemical techniques have demonstrated that in Spirographis spallanzanii there is a highly pigmented tissue surrounding the ventral and circular vessels. Melanin and carotenoids are absent in the clubshaped cells, but there is evidence for the presence of lipids, haemopigments and Fe+++, probably in connection with haemopoietic processes. Tests on the ala-dehydrase activity in this tissue confirm this hypothesis. From these results it can be concluded that in Spirographis spallanzanii this tissue is the site of synthesis of respiratory pigment.
