Histological and Histochemical Study of Byssus Gland in Mytilus Viridis

Abstract

Histochemical localization of proteins, certain important amino acids like tyrosine tryptophan, and amino acids containing –S–S– and NH₂ groups,  lipids (free, bound and unsaturated) and carbohydrates (simple as well as conjugated) was done to find out the nature of byssus secreted by the foot gland. This study gave an insight into the mechanism of secretion of different components of byssus by different types of gland cells. The gland is exocrine in nature and consists of numerous channels and ciliated cells. Also it was observed that the byssal groove housing the glands had varying structure with different histochemical compositions from anterior to posterior region. It was observed that proteins though localized in entire gland were more concentrated in the middle and cuff region of the gland. Carbohydrate moieties were localized at the extremities of the gland structure especially in the ciliated regions whereas lipids were localized in the extreme posterior region of the gland and served the function of energy generation rather than being involved in secretion of byssus component.