Investigation of histology structure and some histochemical characteristics of gills in the spiny eel, (Mastacembalus mastacembalus, Bank and Solander, 1794)

In this study, the histological structure and histochemical characteristics of gills of five spiny eel, ( Mastacembalus mastacembalus, Bank and Solander, 1794 )'s gills obtained in Keban Dam lake were examined in the light microscope. The gills of M. mastacembalus are formed by four holobranchs, each consisting of two hemibranchs with primary filaments and secondary lamellae. The gill filaments are vascularized by afferent and efferent arteries. The filament and lamellae contain plaster, chloride and mucous cells. Plaster cells are dark, centrally located nucleus, amount of cytoplasm. Chlorid cells are scarce in the primary filaments. Mucous cells are observed abundant on the primary filament and secondary lamellae. Mostly mucous cells have oval and globular shape throughout all regions. As a result of histochemically staining of the gills of Mastacembalus mastacembalus were determined that mucous cells included strong sulphate (AB pH 0.4), O-sulphate esters (AB pH 1.0), acidic (AB pH 2.5), neutral (PAS), neutral and acid rich (PAS/AB pH 2.5). Mucous cells containing sulphate and acidic (AF/AB pH 2.5) showed dominant acid reaction. Mucous cells including sulphate (AF) and sialic acid recidues (KOH/PAS) were seen negative reaction. Key Words: Mastacembalus mastacembalus, gill, histology, histochemistry.