Histological evaluation of pearl-sac development in the Concho Pearly Mussel (Cyrtonaias tampicoens)
Date
2002
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Texas A&M University
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to assess the wound repair properties and epithelial cell proliferation in the processes necessary to develop a pearl-sac in the mantle of the Concho Pearly Mussel (Uniodidea: Cyrtonaias tampicoens). Samples of tissue were collected from mussels surgically implanted with a graft tissue. Responses to wound repair, epithelial proliferation and the development of the pearl-sac were evaluated histologically. The prepared slides were stained with two objectives in mind, the first with Hemotoxylin & Eosin (H&E) to help describe the general steps to pearl-sac development and the second objective was the use of stains to understand the importance of mucoproteins and calcium in these vital stages of development. In the first objective hemocytes appeared at the wound site within 24 hours, fibroblasts formed within 3 days, and a basement membrane was formed along the incision tract within 10 days. By day 11, epithelial cells began to migrate and proliferate from donor tissue onto the basement membrane. The pearl-sac was developed and tall columnar cells were producing acidophilic secretions by day 30, while around day 42, low columnar cells began active secretions of basophilic substances into the newly formed pearl-sac. After day 50, 80 percent of the pearl-sac consisted of low columnar cells. In the second objective, the evaluation of mucoproteins also began at the incision site; an influx of hemocytes was accompanied by acidic mucoprotein secretions. These mucopolysaccharides formed an extracellular matrix that is important in wound healing and development of a basement membrane. Epithelial cells from the donor graft then proliferated onto the basement membrane. By day 30, tall and low columnar epithelial cells were the dominant cell types of the pearl-sac. The tall columnar cells showed no evidence of mucoprotein accumulation or secretions. The low columnar cells produced several mucopolysaccharides. By day 43, the low columnar epithelia were exhibiting evidence of carboxylated mucoprotein accumulation. My results indicate that mucoproteins may play a vital role in the wound healing, tissue repair, and epithelial cell growth associated with development, and are similar to observations of gonadal implants in marine oysters.
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Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-48).
Issued also on microfiche from Lange Micrographics.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-48).
Issued also on microfiche from Lange Micrographics.
Keywords
wildlife and fisheries sciences., Major wildlife and fisheries sciences.