ENDOCRINE CELLS OF MUCOSA EPITHELIUM IN THE DISTAL PART OF THE INTESTINE
OF RANA TEMPORARIA
S. V. Kostyukevich
The I. I. Mechnikov State Medical Academy, St. Petersburg;
* e-mail: KSV@SK2945.spb.edu
The epithelium of the distal part of Rana temporaria intestine has been studied by light and electron
microscopy. It has been shown that the number of agrent-affined endocrinocytes in the mucosa of the frog intestinal
epithelium decreases gradually from the small bowel to the colon, and then sharply increased in the distal part of
colon (cloaca). Four types of endocrinocytes have been identified: EC, D, L and type IV. In frogs examined in
March, endocrinocytes of the colon mucosal epithelium demonstrate structural features characteristic of the state
of functional strain. These features are most pronounced in EC-cells. This seems to be due to the state of
awakening from hibernation, serotonin (produced by EC-cells) playing an essential role in this process.
Key words: Rana temporaria, intestine, epithelium, endocrinocytes
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