Studies of the histoenzymological mapping of acid and alkaline phosphatases in the hindbrain of Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton).

Abstract

The regional localization of acid and alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2. and 3.1.3.1. respectively), determined histoenzymologically, is described in the cerebellum and medulla oblongata of Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton). Acid phosphatase activity in nuclear areas was observed to be moderately positive, whereas alkaline phosphatase activity varied from weak to strongly positive. The localization pattern of these enzymes in the fibre tracts differed. One interesting finding in this study was that the Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and the Mauthner cells in the medulla oblongata contained these enzymes in a high concentration. The contrasting cytological distribution patterns of the two enzymes indicate that their roles in the neurons and fibre tracts are probably different.