The gut of Scyliorhinus canicula was examined by light and electron
microscopy and was found to harbour a large and heterogeneous
leucocyte population which occupied three niches: the lamina propria
(intralaminal leucocytes), the epithelium (intra-epithelial leucocytes)
and as accumulations of leucocytes. The lamina propria had a mixed
population of cells including three granulocyte types, lymphocytes,
plasma cells and macrophages. The epithelium contained a similar
spectrum of cells, with the exception of plasma cells, which were
only detected in the lamina propria. The lamina propria and epithelium
of the gall bladder and reproductive tract also contained leucocytes,
although not in the same quantities. Accumulations of lymphocytes
and macrophages were detected throughout the alimentary tract, but
were largest and most predominant in the proximal spiral intestine.
Leucocyte populations in all three niches were greatest in the proximal
spiral valve and virtually absent from the cardiac stomach.
The development of leucocyte population in the spiral intestine
was examined. Intralaminal leucocytes were first observed in phase
2 of stage 2 and intra-epithelial leucocytes and lymphoid accumulations
in stage 3. The development of the intestinal leucocyte populations
occurred after the thymus and kidney and approximately at the same
time as the Leydig organ and spleen. Leucocytes were present in all
niches of the gut prior to the transition to an exogenous diet.
The epithelium of the spiral intestine of the larval stages was
shown to phagocytose particulate material (carbon), while the adult
intestine demonstrated no such ability. The epithelium of the spiral
intestine of both larval and adults was found to absorb soluble protein
material (HGG and ferritin).
Immunoglobulin was detected in the reproductive tract, spiral
intestine, and at levels comparable to that of serum in the bile.
Biliary immunoglobulin was compared, on the basis of several criteria,
with serum immunoglobulin. Sepcific antibodies were detected in the
bile after SRBC’S and Vibrio antigens were intubated into the gut
by oral and anal routes and injected directly into the peritoneum.
No systemic response, however, was elicited to antigens which had
been intubated into the gut by either the oral or anal orifice.
Date of Award | 1987 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | |
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IMMUNITY IN THE ALIMENTARY TRACT AND OTHER MUCOSAE OF THE DOGFISH SCYLIORHINUS CANICULA L.
HART, S. (Author). 1987
Student thesis: PhD