Stannius Corpuscles in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus): Histological and Ultrastructure Studies

Abstract

| Stannius corpuscles (SC) are unique endocrine gland in the kidney of bony fish. It plays an important role in regulating calcium haemostasis via secretion of hypocalcine (stanniocalcin) hormone. The structure of Stannius corpuscles has been clarified in several fish species; however, little was elucidated concerning that in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Therefore, the aim of the current study is to reveal the structural characteristics of SC in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) among both sexes. Histological and ultrastructural examinations of SC were revealed among both sexes. The SC were paired, oval white colored bodies embedded in the trunk area of posterior kidneys. Histologically, the SC were surrounded by thin connective tissue (C.T) capsule from which many septa were extended dividing the glands into incomplete lobules. The parenchymal cells consist of two types; one with intensely eosinophilic cytoplasm and the other were weakly stained. Interestingly, the proportion of cells was varied among male and female. The female showed significant higher percentage of lightly eosinophilic cells than the intensely stained cells. On the other hand, the predominant cell type in male was the intensely stained one. Transmission electron microscopic observations revealed the presence of two types of cells; predominant type I (electron dense and electron lucent cells) and type II. The former showed more secretory granules than the later. In conclusion, our results revealed sexual differences in the proportion of cells and suggested that the type I could be responsible for hypocalcine hormone secretion. However, further investigations are required to reveal the structure of SC among different seasons.

Histology of corpuscles of Stannius in Lake Van fish (Alburnus tarichi Güldenstädt, 1814) (Cyprinidae)

“…The connective tissue septa were determined to be well-vascularized by capillaries or sinusoids. Similar findings were also reported by other researchers in different fish species (Abu Zinadah et al, 2006;Cohen et al, 1975;Karkit et al, 2019;Krishnamurthy & Bern, 1969). Well vascularization of the parenchyma of the glands might be attributed to the function and activity of the gland (Jones et al, 1969).…”

“…The results showed that 3 to 5 Sc were located on either side of the caudal part of the kidney, both ventrally and dorsally. Similarly, Sc have been reported to be found in the posterior end of the kidney in many teleost species (Abu Zinadah et al., 2006; Bedjargi & Kulkarni, 2014a; Bhattacharyya & Butler, 1978; Cohen et al., 1975; Karkit et al, 2019; Krishnamurthy & Bern, 1969; Oguri, 1966; Tomasulo et al., 1970; Wendelaar Bonga et al., 1977). The number of Sc in adult fish could vary between species, and even among individuals of the same species.…”

“…In a study comparing the histology of the Sc between freshwater fish ( Channa marulius , Channa punctatus , Clarias gariepinus , Labeo rohita , Notopterus notopterus and T. mossambica ) and sea water fish ( Hemiramphus far , Parastromateus niger , Pampus argenteus , Rastrelliger kanagurta , Scoliodon laticaudus and Sillago sihama ), 2 Sc in each examined fish species were reported (Bedjargi & Kulkarni, 2014a). In another study, a pair of Sc were observed in Oreochromis niloticus and Epinephilus tuvina (Abu Zinadah et al., 2006), N. notopterus (Bedjargi & Kulkarni, 2014b) and C. gariepinus (Karkit et al, 2019). Garret (1942) proposed a phylogenetic progression wherein number of organs reduced during the evolution of Holostei and Telostei, and the Sc moved to the posterior third of the mesonephros or extreme posterior end of the body cavity, completely behind the kidney (in some specialized groups), as a result of shortening of the body cavity and anterior progression of the visceral structures, rather than a posterior migration.…”

“…Predominating type‐I cells were larger than the type‐II cells and displayed weak or moderate acidophilic, and PAS+ or AF+ staining in their cytoplasms, while the cytoplasms of the type‐II cells were not stained with those stains. In general, two types of cells have been observed in the parenchyma of the Sc in different teleost species (Abu Zinadah et al., 2006; Bhattacharyya & Butler, 1978; Chakrabarti & Banerjee, 2016; Karkit et al, 2019; Krishnamurthy & Bern, 1969; Wendelaar Bonga & Greven, 1975; Wendelaar Bonga et al., 1977; Wendelaar Bonga et al., 1980). Staining of the cells of the Sc with PAS or AF was previously reported in different species (Bedjargi & Kulkarni, 2014b; Krishnamurthy & Bern, 1969; Nadkarni & Gorbman, 1966; Prasad et al., 2017), and the staining pattern may have differentiated depending on the fish species.…”

Responses of Corpuscles of Stannius to intra-peritoneal vitamin-D3 administration in teleost Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) reared in water with two different levels of calcium concentration

“…The sinusoidal dilatations in response to hypercalcemia in Labeo rohita is similar to the observations on Clarias batrachus ( Srivastav et al, 1985 , Srivastav and Srivastav, 1988 ). The degeneration among few corpuscular cells observed in Labeo rohita in response to prolonged hypercalcemia is in agreement with the results obtained by Hiroi (1970) on Oncorhynchus sp, Srivastav et al, 1985 , Srivastav and Srivastav, 1988 on Clarias batrachus and histological and ultrastructure studies of CS in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus ( Karkit et al, 2019 ). Advanced evidence that Ca 2+ influx in branchial, intestinal (and likely in renal Ca 2+ transporting cells) is controlled by stanniocalcin (STC) ( Buttler, 1993 , Flik et al, 1993 , Wendelaar Bonga and Pang, 1986a ).…”