Skip to main content
Log in

Histochemical studies on reproductive and nutritional cycles of the holothurian, Holothuria scabra

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Histochemical observations were made of seasonal changes of protein, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids in different tissues of Holothuria scabra. Accumulation of organic components in the gonads were observed with the advance of maturity. Protein and lipids were found to be important as storage materials for utilization during development. A sexcorrelated variation of nucleic acids was evident in the gonads. Intestinal protein and lipids were found to be utilized by the gonads during the reproductive cycle; carbohydrates seemed to be of lesser importance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Literature cited

  • Alfert, M. and I. I. Geschwind: A selective staining method for the basic proteins of cell nuclei. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 39, 991–998 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Arvy, L.: Contribution à l'étude histochimique des enzymes catalyseurs d'oxydation chez les Echinoderms (localization macroscopique). Riv. Istochim. 4, 357–368 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, J. R.: The histochemical recognition of phenol especially tyrosine. Q. Jl. microsc. Sci. 97, 161–164 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Benazzi-Lentati: Sulla distribuzione del glicogeno e sulla glicemia vera delgi invertebrati. Archo. zool. ital. 29, (Suppl.: Attual. zool. 5, 35–69) (1941).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonhag, P. F.: Histochemical studies of the ovarian nurse tissues and oocytes of the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fascialus (Dallas). J. Morph. 98, 381–440 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brumbaugh, J.: The anatomy, diet and tentacular feeding of the dentrochirote holothurian, Cucumaria curata Cowles (1907). Doctoral diss. Ph. D. thesis, Stanford Univ., Stanford, Calif. and unpublished data (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cain, A. J.: The use of Nile blue in examining the lipids. Q. Jl microsc. Sci. 88, 383 (1947).

    Google Scholar 

  • Caspersson, T. and J. Schultze: Ribonucleic acids in both nucleus and cytoplasm and the function of the nucleolus. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 28, 507–517 (1940).

    Google Scholar 

  • Casselman, W. G. B.: Histochemical technique, 205 pp. London: Methuen 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  • D'Agostino, A. S. and A. Farmanfarmian: Transport of nutrients in the holothurian Leptosynapta inhaerens. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 119, 301 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Davenport, R. and J. C. Davenport: A cytochemical study of cytoplasmic basic proteins in Echinoderm oogenesis. Expl Cell Res. 42, 429–437 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Deitch, A. D.: Microspectrophotometric study of the binding of the anionic dye, naphthol yellow S, by tissue sections and by purified proteins. Lab. Invest. 4, 324–351 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Endean, R.: The coelomocytes of Holothuria leucospilota. Q. Jl microsc. Sci. 98, 455–472 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Enriques, P.: Digestione, circolazione e assorbimento nelle oloturie. Archo. zool. ital. 1, 1–58 (1902).

    Google Scholar 

  • Farmanfarmian, A.: Transport of nutrients in echinoderms. Proc. XVI. Int. congr. Zool. 1, 118 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • — and J. H. Phillips: Digestion, storage and translocation of nutrients in the purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 123, 105–120 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, J. C.: The role of coelomic fluid in the transport of nutrients in the starfish, Asterias forbesi. Am. Zool. 2, 242 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fish, J. D.: The digestive system of the holothurian, Cucumaria elongata. I. Structure of the gut and haemal system. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 132, 337–353 (1967a)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The biology of Cucumaria elongata (Echinodermata; Holothuroidea). J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 47, 129–144 (1967b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, W. P. and S. E. Simon: The histology of holothuroidean muscle. J. cell. comp. Physiol. 63, 25–38 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • French, J. E. and E. P. Benditt: The histochemistry of connective tissue: II. The effect of proteins on the selective staining of mucopolysaccharides by basic dyes. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 1, 321–325 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabe, M.: Résultats de l'histochimie des polysaccharides: Invertebrates. In: Handbuch der Histochimie. 2: Polysaccharide, Part I, pp 95–356. Ed. by W. Graumann and K. Neumann. Stuttgart: Fischer 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gersh, I.: A protein component of Golgi apparatus. Arch. Path. 47, 99–109 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese, A. C., S. Krishnaswamy, B. S. Vasu and J. Lawrence: Reproductive and biochemical studies on a sea urchin, Stomopneustes variolaris, from Madras Harbour. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 13, 367–380 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Glegg, R. E., Y. Clermont and C. P. Leblond: The use of lead tetraacetate, benzidine, O-dianisidine and a “film test” in investigating the periodic acid — Schiff technique. Stain Technol. 27, 277–305 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenfield, L. J., A. C. Giese, A. Farmanfapmian and R. A. Boolootian: Cyclic biochemical changes in several echinoderms. J. exp. Zool. 139, 507–524 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, P. R., L. I. Malkin and M. Hublard: Synthesis of RNA during oogenesis in the sea urchin. J. molec. Biol. 13, 463–481 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gurr, E.: Methods of analytical histology and histochemistry, 327 pp. London: Leonard Hill Books Ltd 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hale, C. W.: Histochemical demonstration of acid polysaccharides in animal tissues. Nature, Lond. 157, 802 (1946).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The histochemistry of polysaccharides. Int. Rev. Cytol. 6, 193–263 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hetzel, H. R.: Studies on Holothurian coelomocytes. II. The origin of coelomocytes and the formation of brown bodies. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 128, 102–111 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hotchkiss, R. D.: A microchemical reaction resulting in the staining of polysaccharide structures in fixed tissue preparations. Archs Biochem. 16, 131–141 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawaguti, S.: Electromicroscopy on the intestinal wall of the sea cucumber with special attention to its muscle and nerve plexus. Biol. J. Okayana Univ. 10, 39–50 (1966a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Electronmicroscopy on the body wall of the sea cucumber with special attention to its mucous cells. Biol. J. Okayama Univ. 12, 35–45 (1966b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessel, R. G.: Some observations of the ultrastructure of the oocyte of Thyone briareus with special reference to the relationship of the Golgi complex and endoplasmic reticulum in the formation of yolk. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 16, 305–319 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishnan, S.: Biochemical and cytochemical observations of the nucleic acids in the gonads of Holothuria scabra Jäger. Acta biol. med., Gdánsk. 11, 307–313 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishnaswamy, S. and S. Krishnan: A report on the reproductive cycle of the holothurian, Holothuria scabra Jäger. Curr. Sci. 36, 155–156 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, D. C., A. L. Lawrenoe, M. L. Greer and D. Millman: Intestinal absorption in the sea cucumber, Stichopus parvimensis. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 20, 619–627 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, J. M., A. L. Lawrence and A. C. Giese: Role of the gut as a nutrient storage organ in the purple sea urchin. (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus). Physiol. Zoöl. 39, 281–290 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lillie, R. D.: Ethelynic reaction of ceroid with performio acid-Schiff reagent. Stain Technol. 27, 31–45 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazia, D., P. A. Brewer and M. Alfert: The cytochemical staining and measurement of protein with mercuric bromophenol blue. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 104, 57–67 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • McManus, J. F. A. and J. E. Cason: Carbohydrate histochemistry studied by acetylation technique. J. exp. Med. 91, 651–654 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

  • Motohiro, T.: Studies on mucoprotein in marine products. I. Isolation of mucoprotein from the meats of Stichopus japonicus. Bull. Jap. Soc. scient. Fish. 12, 1171–1174 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Oomen, H. A. P. C.: Verdauungsphysiologische Studien an Holothurien. Pubbl. Staz. zool. Napoli. 7, 215–297 (1926).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse, A. J. E.: Histochemistry, theoretical and applied, 998 pp. London: J. & A. Churchill 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahaman, A. A.: Reproductive and nutritional cycles in a few invertebrates. Ph. D. thesis of the University of Madras (1967).

  • Schreiber, B.: Experimenti per lo studio dell'assorbimento intestinale nelle oloturie. Archo. zool. ital. 16, 865–870 (1932).

    Google Scholar 

  • Seshachar, B. R. and S. Bagga: Cytochemistry of the oocyte of Loris tardigradus lydekkerianus and Macaca mulatta mulatta. J. Morph. 113, 119–138 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • — and S. R. V. Rao: Cytochemistry of the test cells of Pyura squamulosa (Tunicata, Pleurogonia). Q. Jl microsc. Sci. 104, 459–464 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stott, F. C.: Observations on the food canal and associated structures in the holothurian Holothuria forskali Delle Chiaje. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond. 129, 129–136 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sverker, B.: A complex between basic proteins and acid polysaccharides in sea urchin oocytes (Paracentrotus lividus, Psammechinus milliaris). Acta Embryol. Morph. exp. 9, 37–43 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Swift, H.: Cytochemical techniques for nucleic acids. In: The nucleic acid, chemistry and biology, Vol. 2, pp 51–92. Ed. by E. Chargaff and J. N. Davidson. New York: Academic Press 1955.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Communicated by N.K. Panikkar, New Delhi

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Krishnan, S. Histochemical studies on reproductive and nutritional cycles of the holothurian, Holothuria scabra . Marine Biol. 2, 54–65 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351639

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351639

Keywords

Navigation