A structural basis for fluid secretion by malpighian tubules.

The Malpighian tubules of Calliphora are described, emphasizing the possible role of surface specializations in solute-linked water transport. The tubules are composed of two cell types, primary and stellate, intermingling along the tubule length. The primary cells have long narrow basal infoldings and a microvillate luminal border, both intimately associated with mitochondria. The stellate cells have shorter and wider basal infoldings and their apical microvilli do not contain mitochondria. Application of the standing gradient hypothesis to this sytem provides a model for urine formation in which the local gradients for osmotic water flow occur within the long narrow channels of the basal infolds and microvilli of the primary cells. Stellate cells may modify the initial secretion by reabsorbing sodium.