Melano-macrophage centres in the liver of platyfish, Xiphophorus maculatus, Poeciliidae: Teleostei

Abstract

This paper describes the localization and structure of melano-macrophage centres (MMCs) in the liver of platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus), compares these centres with corresponding structures in the spleen and kidney of various teleosts and gives suggestions about their functions. The MMCs were closely apposed to the endothelial layer of liver venules covered with pancreas tissue, i.e. portal venules, and contained numerous cells displaying large amounts of Prussian blue precipitations in tissue treated with acid ferrocyanide. Thus, these centres were rich in ferric compounds, probably haemosiderin, and are suggested to be involved in the normal storage, relocation and recycling of iron compounds from effete or damaged red blood cells of the portal venule system in this species. © 2004 Published by Elsevier GmbH.