Polysaccharidic material in chloride cell of teleostean gill: modifications according to salinity.

The gill epithelium is known to be implicated in the hydromineral regulation of teleosts, especially owing to its "chloride cells." We have examined the polysaccharides of chloride cells from euryhaline teleosts adapted to fresh- or saltwater. The use of periodic acid-chromic acid-silver methenamine, colloidal thorium, or radioautography after incorporation of [3H]glucosamine has shown that chloride cells are characterized by a high concentration of polysaccharides in their apical region (at the level of the vesiculotubular system) and by a special polysaccharidic cell coat. The polysaccharide molecules originate from the Golgi area; by 12 h they accumulate within the vesiculotubular system and are released in the apical cavity of the cell within 24 h. In fresh- and saltwater-adapted fish, the localization of polysaccharidic material in chloride cells is basically the same. However, in saltwater-adapted fish, the amount and turnover of the polysaccharide molecules are clearly increased.