Histochemical studies on mucosubstances in the prostate gland of the pulmonate snail Semperula maculata in the annual breeding-aestivation cycle.

Abstract

Prostate gland of the pulmonate (terrestrial) snail Semperula maculata was studied histochemically for the presence of polysaccharides. PAS technique and differential staining methods employing Alcian blue, aldehyde fuchsin and Azure A at different pH values and combined with enzyme digestion test and lipid extraction were used. Two histochemically different cell types were found in the prostate gland: the type 1 cells which elaborate neutral mucosubstances and supposedly also phospholipoproteins, and type 2 cells producing glycogen. Both these cell types show seasonal fluctuations of the stores of materials secreted by them. Thus in type 1 cells the weakest histochemical reactivity indicating the lowest concentration of their secretion appears just after cessation of the snails' breeding activity (September) and persists throughout the post-breeding and early pre-breeding seasons which both together constitute the aestivation period. During the rest of the pre-breeding season a strong reactivity gradually develops and culminates in May i.e. immediately before the onset of the breeding activities which in turn initiate a decline of the reactivity. The type 2 cells become most reactive in the middle of the pre-breeding season (May) and decrease their reactivity after cessation of the breeding season. The number of both types of cells parallels the reactivity changes.