Nature and Function of the Brown Cell in 'Crassostrea virginica'

摘要

The study was undertaken to determine the role of the brown cell in Crassostrea virginica in degradative and detoxification processes. Histopathological and biochemical methods were used to study brown cells in vivo and in vitro before and after treatment with organic and inorganic compounds. Histopathological examination indicated that brown cells in the connective tissue of healthy animals were sparse, and found primarily around sinusoids and in the intertubular connective tissue of the digestive diverticula. Brown cells in the auricle were derived from connective tissue of the auricular muscle bundles and occurred on the surface and within the muscle bundles. In addition, the surface of the pericardial wall was lined with brown cells. At sites of inflammation, and increase in the number and size of brown cells occurred as well as an increase in the number and color density of brown vesicles in the cytoplasm. (Copyright (c) 1994 Elsevier Science Limited, England.)