Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural evidence of adrenal chromaffin cell subtypes in sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.)

• Published in: General and comparative endocrinology Vol. 102; no. 1; pp. 113 - 122
• Main Authors: Abelli, L, Gallo, V P, Civinini, A, Mastrolia, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.1996
• Subjects: Animals; Bass - anatomy & histology; Bass - metabolism; Catalysis; Chromaffin Cells - chemistry; Chromaffin Cells - ultrastructure; Dihydroxyphenylalanine - metabolism; Dopamine - metabolism; Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase - analysis; Epinephrine - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Kidney - chemistry; Kidney - ultrastructure; Microscopy, Electron; Norepinephrine - metabolism; Tyrosine - metabolism; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase - analysis
• ISSN: 0016-6480
• DOI: 10.1006/gcen.1996.0052

Histology demonstrated chromaffin cells in the head kidney and opisthonephros of the sea bass. Immunohistochemistry showed the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase in these cells. Phenlethanolamine N-methyltransferase was detected in a fraction of the chromaffin cells in the head kidney (59%) and in the opisthonephros (54%). Distinct noradrenaline- and adrenaline-synthesizing cells are therefore suggested. Ultrastructural analysis confirmed the existence of two main chromaffin cell types, distinguished by different types of the secretory granules. Cells that contain vesicles with a round, electron-dense core were interpreted as noradrenaline cells, while cells with electron-lucent vesicles were identified as adrenaline cells. The ultrastructure of these chromaffin cell subtypes does not differ in the head kidney and opisthonephros. A minor population of chromaffin cells was identified, which typically show smaller vesicles with an electron-dense core. This population may account for a limited number of not fully differentiated chromaffin cells.