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Functional Ultrastructure of Malpighian Tubules of Tsetse, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood (Diptera: Glossinidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

J. A. Kongoro  and
T. R. Odhiambo
J. A. Kongoro
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
T. R. Odhiambo
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
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Abstract

The tsetse, Glossina morsitans morsitans, has two pairs of Malpighian tubules. Ultrastructurally, the tubules consist of three recognizable functional zones: the distal, intermediate and proximal regions, which are characterized by three distinct cell types: I, II and III respectively. The three cell types had numerous microvilli and basal infoldings: the microvilli of type I and II cells were associated with long mitochondria, while those of type III were devoid of mitochondria. Autoradiographic observations using (3H) glucose indicated that there was synthetic activity in the tubules, and that there was greater incorporation of the radiochemical in the distal and intermediate tubule regions than in the proximal region. The distal and intermediate regions have some functional similarities. With regard to primary urine formation in the tubules, it is suggested that the cell types I and II (and hence the distal and intermediate regions) are secretory, and the cell type III (that is, the proximal region) is absorptive. “Canaliculi” in the proximal region increase the surface area for absorption.

Résumé

Le tsétsé, Glossina morsitans morsitans, a deux paires de tubes Malpigiens. Ultrastructurellement, les tubes sont formés de 3 zones de fonction reconnaissable: les régions distale, intermédiaire et proximale caractérisées respectivement par trois types de cellules distinctes: I, II et III. Ces trois types de cellules présentent de nombreux microvilli et des replis basaux. Les microvilli des cellules de type I et II sont associés aux longues mitochondries, alors que ceux du type III en sont dépourvus. Des observations autoradiographiques par utilisation de glucose (3H) indiquent qu'il y a une activité synthétique dans les tubes avec une plus forte incorporation du produit radiochimique dans les régions distale et intermédiaire par rapport à la région proximale. Les régions distale et intermédiaire ont des fonctions similaires. Compte tenu de la formation primaire de l'urine dans les tubes, on peut indiquer que les cellules de type I et II (régions distale et intermédiaire) sont sécrétoires, et que les cellules de type III (région proximale) sont absorbantes. Les “canalicules” dans la région proximale augmentent la surface de la zone d'absorption.

Keywords

Malpighian tubulesGlossina morsitans morsitansultrastructureautoradiography
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 9 , Issue 4 , August 1988 , pp. 563 - 571
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1988

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