Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Histochemical analysis of mucous cells in the epidermis of snake eel Pisoodonophis boro (Ham-Buch)

Volume 29 Issue 1&2

K.Jayalakshmi and A. Subramanian

Abstract

A detailed histochemical study was made on the epidermal mucous cells of the estuarine burrowing snake eel Pisoodonophis boro. PAS, Alcian blue at pH 2.5 and 1.0, combined Alcian blue pH 2.5/PAS, Alcian blue pH 1.0/PAS, Aldehyde fuchsin, combined Aldehyde fuchsin/Alcian blue pH 2.5, Hale's colloidal iron, Bromophenol blue, Methylation procedures, digestion with diastase, hyaluronidase and neurominidase techniques were followed for histochemical tests.

The results showed the presence of sialic acid containing glycoproteins with a minor sulphated mucopolysaccharide. The protein content was low. The mucous cells also contained glycogen Sialic acid is associated with viscosity. The predominant sialic acid component of mucin in P. boro could lubricate and reduce friction during burrowing.

Date : 31-12-1987