Microvilli Pattern of Midgut Gland Cells in the Prawn Penaeus japonicus

Abstract

Microvilli of diverticular cells in the midgut gland of the prawn Penaeus japonicus were observed under a scanning electron microscope. Three different types of the microvilli were distinguished by their pattern based on the arrangement, density and behaviour. The microvilli distribution of two types was discernible cellularly from another type, and both of them showed a destruction phase caused by the explosion of each cell body probably due to ageing. The area of another microvilli spread without cellular partition, exhibiting only irregular grooves among the cloud of microvilli. Each of these types of microvilli seemed to belong to respective cells named as the light, dark and vacuolated which constitute the epithelial layer of diverticula. Furthermore, it was suggested that the vacuolated cell derived from the light cell in this prawn. © 1989, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.