An investigation of venom secretion by the venom gland cells of the carpet viper (Echis carinatus).

The indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique was applied to the study of Echis carinatus pyramidum venom antigens in venom gland tissue using semi-thin frozen sections. A total of four rabbit antisera, two monoclonal antibodies active against E. carinatus venom, two monoclonal antibodies active against the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium chabaudi, and two monoclonal antibodies active against the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, were investigated. The results of this study suggest that each secretory cell within the main part of the gland produces all the venom constituents. The resultant venom is therefore considered to be produced as a single package by each individual secretory cell. The different constituents of the venom studied are not produced at the same time or at the same rate throughout the secretory cycle, some being produced at the beginning and others at a later stage.