The nephron of the one-humped camel Camelus dromedarius was investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy. Besides the many features common to other mammalian kidneys, the nephron of the camel is unique in having an unusually thick basal lamina underlying the epithelial cells of the nephron, the thickest being found in part of the parietal layer of Bowman's capsule and the thin limb of the loop of Henle. In the latter, the membrane usually appears lamellated and contains numerous tiny vesicles. In other parts of the nephron, the basal lamina usually has a homogenous appearance. The possible significance of the thickening of the basal lamina is discussed in relation to the general high renal efficiency of the camel.

The head kidneys of adult Periophthalamus koelreuteri contain many functional glomerular nephorns which on the basis of this histochemical study, are indistinguishable from those of the typical opistonephros of marine teleosts. The anterior lobes resemble, in location and in the presence of intertubular erythropoeitic tissue, the pronephros in other species. The single nephron found there, however, does not differ significantly from the other nephrons of the head kidney. It is suggested, therefore, that the nephrons of the head kidney in this species are opisthonephric in origin.

ABSTRACT.Purpose: The effects of chronic chloroquine administration on serum proteins and free amino acids of rabbits and the accompanying ultrastructural changes in the retina were investigated. Methods: Thirty pigmented rabbits were injected intramuscularly with chloroquine diphosphate (14 mg/Kg bw). Fifteen rabbits served as control. Blood samples drawn after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12 months were assayed for serum proteins by Bio-analytic kits and horizontal electrophoretic technique. Free amino acids were determined by Beckman analyzer. Central retinal tissue was fixed in 4% glutaraldehyde, embedded in araldite CY 212 and sectioned for ultrastructural examination. Results: Histopathologic changes were apparent within three months, initially affecting the pigment epithelium and photoreceptors and later involving the remaining neuroretinal layers. Hypoproteinemia gradually developed mainly due to a sharp drop in albumin and alpha 1 and 2 globulin fractions, inspite of an increase in beta and gamma globulin fractions. The concentration of non-essential amino acids varied considerably from a depletion of taurine, aspartine, glutamine, tryptophan and arginine to an increase of serine, alanine, GABA and ornithine. The most outstanding effect was the disappearance of tyrosine and its return to normal value at the end of the experiment. Conclusion: The disturbances in protein pattern and free amino acid levels are an indication of chloroquine toxicity and may be implicated in the retinopathy.

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The renal haemopoietic tissue of the mudskipper Periophthalmus koelreuteri was examined by light and electron microscopy. Leukopoietic zone surrounding melanomacrophage center and erythropoietic zone were differentiated. The ultrastructural features of the cellular components of the haemopoietic compartments are similar to those described in other fishes. Despite the presence of lymphoid cells, this tissue is mainly myeloid, and active granulopoiesis and erythropoiesis occur, as in the red bone marrow of higher vertebrates. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.