Mucous cells in micropogonias furnieri gills: histochemistry and ultrastructure

The characteristics of the mucous cells located in the gills of the fish Micropogonias furnieri were investigated. Using histochemical procedures that included methods for localization and characterization of glycoproteins (GPs), no differences were detected between the mucous cell contents of the primary and secondary lamellae. The GPs were identified with (a) oxidizable vecinal diols; (b) sialic acids and some of their chain variants, C7 or C9; (c) carboxyl groups and (d) sulphate groups. The electron microscope showed large mucous globules of different electro densities from mucous cells located deep in the epithelium between the other epithelial cells; the release of mucus by exocytosis was observed. GPs secreted on the surface of the mucous cells was suggested to be important for the lubrication, protection and inhibition of microorganisms. It is possibility that GPs could have similar roles in Micropogonias furnieri gills.