Number and distribution of Leydig cells (LC) in the epidermis of the growing axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum (Amphibia: Urodela)

The epidermal Leydig cells (LC) of larval and paedomorphic Urodela (= Caudata) are highly specialized cells, which are characterized by a complex peripheral cytoskeleton (Langerhans’ net) and numerous inclusions usually named secretory granules. We studied number, distribution and development of these cells in larvae up to 100 days after hatching and in some adults of the paedomorphic axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). With the exception of a short period after hatching, relation between age and total length of larvae was linear. The tail grew positively, the width of the head negatively allometric. Keeping larvae in groups resulted in a somewhat slower growth, in deviations from a strict linearity of some morphological parameters, and in a delayed increase of the number of LC, which is interpreted as crowding effect. LC could be identified already before hatching and developed first in the head, then in the trunk, and finally in the tail. Number of LC increased highly disproportionally during larval growth. Within 6 months, LC differentiated from relatively small cells (20 × 10 μm) with a vacuolated appearance to large round cells (diameter ca. 65 μm) with distinct and stainable granules and a prominent Langerhans’ net forming several layers within the epidermis. LC neither rested directly upon the basal lamella nor reached the epidermal surface. They showed a moderate mitotic activity in all age groups examined. Number of mitoses appeared too small to explain the high number of LC in the epidermis and to guarantee continuous replacement. Mature, most superficially located LC appear to be shed

Involvement of a gelsolin-related protein in spermatogenesis of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris

Krueger E, Hinssen H, D'Haese J. Involvement of a gelsolin-related protein in spermatogenesis of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH. 2008;332(1):141-150.A gelsolin-related protein was isolated from seminal vesicles of the annelid Lumbricus terrestris. Compared with the isoforms of the gelsolin-related protein previously found in the muscle of the annelid body wall, the isolated protein was assigned to the first isoform (EWAM-P1) because of its electrophoretic mobility, chromatographic elution behaviour, immunological cross-reactivity and identical nucleotide sequence of segments obtained by reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction. Immunofluorescence studies with smear preparations of developing male germ cells revealed characteristic changes of the local distribution of actin and EWAM-P1 during spermatogenesis. These changes were correlated with the developmental transport processes and structural alterations. F-actin, as revealed by rhodamine-phalloidin staining, formed a toroid-shaped structure in cytoplasmic bridges connecting the germ cells to a central cytophore during the developmental stages. An actin antibody reacting with both G- and F-actin demonstrated that actin was concentrated at the proximal and distal parts of the spermatocytes. EWAM-P1 was also localized in these regions, with intense staining in the distal part of spermatocytes and young spermatids in which the Golgi complex and proacrosome resided. The anti-actin antibody further stained the periphery of the nucleus. This staining gradually reduced during sperm maturation and covered about half of the length of the nucleus in elongated spermatids. Co-localization of EWAM with actin implied a functional significance of this gelsolin-related protein for the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton during earthworm spermiogenesis