Alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase in goldfish (Carassius auratus) leukocytes.

Alkaline phosphatase activity and peroxidase activity were studied in granulocytes from the peripheral blood of Carassius auratus by cytochemical procedures for both light and electron-microscope examination. Alkaline phosphatase reaction products appeared in juvenile neutrophil granules and in portions of eosinophil granules. Peroxidase reaction products were observed in mature neutrophil granules and in portions of eosinophil granules. Basophils showed negative results. The presence of alkaline phosphatase in the early neutrophil stages only, suggestes that juvenile neutrophils in the peripheral blood of golfish have a peculiar function.