Determination of apoptotic cells and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) structures in Bufo viridis tadpole tail during metamorphosis

Key words: Apoptosis, Bufo viridis, Glycosaminoglycans, Metamorphosis, TUNEL.In this study, programmed cell death in different sizes of shortened Bufo viridis tadpoletail was investigated by using two different methods. On the other hand, changes ofglycosaminoglycan structures in the tail were tried to identify by histochemically.In the different length of tails, apoptotic cells were observed in epithelium, skeletalmuscle tissues and in notochord. While the apoptotic cells of epithelial tissue show typicalapoptotic morphology with condensed chromatins and cytoplasmic appearances, in the skeletalmuscle tissue going to apoptosis, amorphous structures and disorganizations were observed.However, in the notochord, apoptotic residues are seen. By the Alcian blue stainings for theinvestigation of GAG distribution in the different tail lengths, same results were taken. As aresult, carboxylated glycosaminoglycans were found intensely in epithelial, connective andskeletal muscle tissues. Generally, according to the GAG staining properties, there was not anydifference among different tail lengths, therefore it is suggested that, there is not any differencesin GAG content in the Bufo viridis tadpole tail during the tail resorption program.