Microvascularization of corpuscles of Stannius in teleost fishes

Blood supply and microvascular patterns of Stannius corpuscles were studied by scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts in the teleost fishes Blennius pavo, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus, and Gasterosteus aculeatus. Microvascular casts demonstrated that Stannius corpuscles--depending on their location--have an arterial supply derived either directly from the dorsal aorta, from the trunk of the first ventral segmental artery of the tail, or from a renal artery. Supplying arteries form a capsular capillary bed and a parenchymal capillary bed; both are composed of fine, freely anastomosing vessels with a homogeneous isotropic distribution. Central venules arise deep in the corpuscles. In the capsule, they form a single vein which drains into a segmental vein or directly into the caudal vein. Stanniocalcin, the hormone of the Stannius corpuscle, enters the renal circulation and reaches its main target organs, the gills, via posterior cardinal veins--heart--ventral aorta. Occasionally, some capsular venules empty into the trunk kidney peritubular venules. Capillaries are fenestrated and are embraced by pericytes with long, slender processes. The perivascular space contains collagen fibrils. Nerve fibers are found close to endothelial cells and pericytes. Vascular patterns of Stannius corpuscles are compared with those of the rat parathyroid glands and are discussed in respect to physiological implications.