Summary
Compared with those of other vertebrate animals, the livers of Antarctic fishes have a unique type of perisinusoidal (Ito) cell. These cells were studied in 9 species with emphasis on Dissostichus mawsoni. Perisinusoidal cells are found in large numbers throughout the liver, have long cytoplasmic arms and, in Dissostichus, contain numerous lipid droplets. The extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum and prominent nucleolus are ultrastructural characteristics indicating that these cells are engaged in protein synthesis. An evolutionary specialization, perisinusoidal cells may be partially responsible for the elevated levels of protein synthesis characteristic of fishes in the Antarctic marine environment.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bartók I, Tóth J, Remenár E, Virágh Sz (1979) Ultrastructure of the hepatic perisinusoidal cells in man and other mammalian species. Anat Rec 194:571–586
Bronfenmajer S, Schaffner F, Popper H (1966) Fat-storing cells (lipocytes) in human liver. Arch Pathol 82:447–453
DeVries AL (1974) Survival at freezing temperatures. In: Malins DC, Sargent JR (eds) Biochemical and biophysical perspectives in marine biology. Academic Press, London, Vol 1, pp 289–330
DeVries AL, Eastman JT (1978) Lipid sacs as a buoyancy adaptation in an Antarctic fish. Nature 271:352–353
DeWitt HH (1971) Coastal and deep-water benthic fishes of the Antarctic. Antarctic Map Folio Series. American Geographical Society, New York, Folio 15, pp 1–10
Eastman JT, DeVries AL (1981) Buoyancy adaptations in a swim-bladderless Antarctic fish. J Morphol 167:91–102
Eastman JT, DeVries AL (1982) Buoyancy studies of notothenioid fishes in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Copeia (in press)
Haschemeyer AEV, Mathews RW (1980) Antifreeze glycoprotein synthesis in the Antarctic fish Trematomus hansoni by constant infusion in vivo. Physiol Zool 53:383–393
Hinton DE, Pool CR (1976) Ultrastructure of the liver in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). J Fish Biol 8:209–220
Hudson AP, DeVries AL, Haschemeyer AEV (1979) Antifreeze glycoprotein biosynthesis in Antarctic fishes. Comp Biochem Physiol 62B:179–183
Ito T, Shibasaki S (1968) Electron microscopic study on the hepatic sinusoidal wall and fat-storing cells in the normal human liver. Arch Histol Jpn 29:137–192
Komatsu SK, Miller HT, DeVries AL, Osuga DT, Feeney RE (1970) Blood plasma proteins of cold-adapted Antarctic fishes. Comp Biochem Physiol 32:519–527
Minick OT, Inouye T, Kent G (1979) Morphology and nature of hepatic and extrahepatic vitamin A- storing cells. 37th Annu Proc Electr Microsc Soc Am pp 314–315
Nopanitaya W, Aghajanian J, Grisham JW, Carson JL (1979) An ultrastructural study on a new type of hepatic perisinusoidal cell in fish. Cell Tissue Res 198:35–42
Prosser CL (1973) Comparative animal physiology (3rd ed). Saunders, Philadelphia
Sargent JR (1976) The structure, metabolism and function of lipids in marine organisms. In: Malins DC, Sargent JR (eds) Biochemical and biophysical perspectives in marine biology. Academic Press, London, Vol 3, pp 149–212
Smith MAK, Haschemeyer AEV (1980) Protein metabolism and cold adaptation in Antarctic fishes. Physiol Zool 53:373–382
Wake K (1971) “Sternzellen” in the liver: Perisinusoidal cells with special reference to storage of vitamin A. Am J Anat 132:429–462
Wake K (1974) Development of vitamin A-rich lipid droplets in multivesicular bodies of rat liver stellate cells. J Cell Biol 63:683–691
Weis P (1972) Hepatic ultrastructure in two species of normal, fasted and gravid teleost fishes. Am J Anat 133:317–332
Welsch UN, Storch VN (1973) Enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural observations on the liver of teleost fishes. Arch Histol Jpn 36:21–37
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Eastman, J.T., DeVries, A.L. Hepatic ultrastructural specialization in Antarctic fishes. Cell Tissue Res. 219, 489–496 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209988
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209988