Sulfomucins and sialomucins in the mucus cells of the alimentary canal in an Indian freshwater major carp, Labeo rohita (Hamilton): a fluorescence microscopic study.

Abstract

The localization of sulfomucins and sialomucins present in the various types of mucus cells--secretory (SMC) and mature non-secretory mucus cells (MMC) of the different regions of the alimentary canal in Labeo rohita (Ham.) has been studied by fluorescence microscopical techniques (viz., Ferric alum Coriphosphine--FAC, Coriphosphine thiazol yellow--CTY and Dische reaction--DR). High degree of fluorescence activity confirms the presence of relatively high amount of sulfomucins in the mucus cells of the oesophageal and buccopharyngeal regions when tested with FAC and CTY methods while moderate intensity of the same in the mucus cells of the two aforesaid regions indicates the localization of relatively lesser amount of sialomucins studied by DR technique. Moderate degree of fluorescence is also observed in the mucus cells (in both SMC and MMC) of the intestinal region with the techniques of FAC, CTY and DR whereas weak fluorescence of FAC, CTY and DR methods is marked in the mucus cells (in both SMC and MMC) of the rectal region due to the presence of low amount of sulfomucins and sialomucins.