Fine structure of the oesophageal and gastric glands of the red-legged pan frog Kassina maculata Dumeril

Abstract

Oesophageal and gastric glands of the anuran Kassina maculata Dumeril were studied using the electron microscope. The cells of the oesophageal glands contained abundant secretory granules, rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. The cells of the gastric glands were composed entirely of chief cells which contained abundant mitochondria, few secretory granules and rough endoplasmic reticulum. It is likely that in K. maculata the oesophageal glands produce more pepsinogen than the gastric glands.