Labral glands in Centropages typicus (Copepoda, Calanoida). I. Sites of synthesis

In Centropages typicus the labrum contains two symmetric gland clusters on the right and left sides. Each cluster comprises two principal elements: a vast unit (AU) located in the anterior, distal area and a dozen smaller units (LPU) in the lateral, posterior area. All these glandular units empty through several pores situated on the labrum. In addition, other secretory units (LDU) are observed in a more dorsal and posterior zone at the level of the perioesophageal nerve ring, and hence outside the labrum itself; these LDU probably secrete through the dorsal side of the stomodeum. All the glandular units (i.e., AU, LPU, and LDU) are organized in syncytia. They have the typical ultrastructural features of a secretory system (rough endoplasmic reticulum, numerous dictyosomes, and secretory granules, the latter amassed at one pole), and several stages of activity may be characterized. The biochemical composition of the products synthesized by rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus is probably very complex. Mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins both appear to be contained in a single type of grain. The mucopolysaccharides would cause agglutination of food particles carried up to the stomodeum by water currents. The glycoproteins would consist of different enzymes functioning in a preliminary digestive phase occurring before the aliments enter the midgut.