Apical structures of "mitochondria-rich" alpha and beta cells in euryhaline fish gill: their behaviour in various living conditions.

Background: One of the characteristic features of the two types (alpha and beta) of "mitochondria-rich" (chloride) cells in the gill epithelium of freshwater fishes is the presence in their apical region of tubulovesicular structures. A further analysis of the ultrastructural features of these apical elements as well as that of their modifications under various living conditions should help to understand better the respective rôle of both alpha and beta cells in these conditions.

Methods: Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) maintained in fresh water as well as tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) maintained either in fresh water or in deionized water or in 20% saltwater were examined. Measurements of surface areas of apical structures in the various living conditions were also performed.

Results: In the alpha cells of freshwater fishes, the apical structures consisted of isolated vesicles containing a filamentous material resembling that coating the apical surface. They were closely related to the apical plasma membrane and did not penetrate the region containing the tubular system. When fishes were transferred to deionized water, the number of the apical membrane folds increased significantly, as did the number and size of apical structures which became elongated. In saltwater-adapted fishes, the apical structures showed a tendency to collapse and took the appearance of flattened and slightly curved elements. These observations tended to indicate that in alpha cells the apical structures were extensions of the apical plasma membrane and thereby might be implicated in sodium uptake when fishes are placed in fresh or deionized water and in chloride excretion when they are transferred to salt water. In beta cells, the apical structures were usually separated from the apical plasma membrane by a zone rich in cytoskeleton elements. They penetrated deeply into the supranuclear region, where they intermingled with the elements of the tubular system. They consisted mainly of tubular elements that contained a material resembling that present in the trans tubular Golgi network from which they might originate. The apical structures remained unaltered in beta cells whatever the medium (fresh or deionized water) in which the fish was placed.

Conclusions: The alpha cells which are usually thought to be mainly involved in chloride excretion when fishes are transferred into seawater might also be implicated in sodium uptake in freshwater living conditions. The rôle of beta cells, in contrast, still remains to be established.