Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Histological and histochemical changes in the digestive tract of white sturgeon larvae during ontogeny

Publication ,  Journal Article
Gawlicka, A; Teh, SJ; Hung, SSO; Hinton, DE; de la Noüe, J
Published in: Fish Physiology and Biochemistry
October 1, 1995

Ontogenetic changes in digestive tract histology and digestive enzyme histochemistry were investigated 11 to 36 days post-hatch in white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus larvae. From initiation of exogenous feeding (12 days post-hatch), larvae were fed a commercial salmonid diet for the ensuing 24 days. The digestive system of white sturgeon displayed a high degree of morphologic organization and functionality at the onset of exogenous feeding. An enhancement of digestive capacities occurred with transition to active feeding. On day 2 of feeding, there was a clear increase of alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase M, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in the brush border of the spiral intestine. This strong activity is an apparent confirmation of the importance of this segment of the intestine for protein digestion and nutrient absorption. The functional development of the pyloric intestine occurred on day 4 and was concomitant with an increase in the activity of brush border and cytoplasmic enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase, dipeptidyl peptidase II, α- and β-galactosidases. The absence of acetylcholinesterase, lactase, nonspecific esterase, and weak activity of exopeptidases and alkaline phosphatase in the anterior intestine suggests that this segment of the intestine may be less important in nutrient absorption than the pyloric and spiral intestines. The observed quantitative and qualitative differences in enzyme activity along the intestine indicate a high degree of specialization of each segment for specific digestive and absorptive processes. © 1995 Kugler Publications.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry

DOI

EISSN

1573-5168

ISSN

0920-1742

Publication Date

October 1, 1995

Volume

14

Issue

5

Start / End Page

357 / 371

Related Subject Headings

  • Fisheries
  • 3005 Fisheries sciences
  • 0704 Fisheries Sciences
  • 0602 Ecology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Gawlicka, A., Teh, S. J., Hung, S. S. O., Hinton, D. E., & de la Noüe, J. (1995). Histological and histochemical changes in the digestive tract of white sturgeon larvae during ontogeny. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 14(5), 357–371. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00003374
Gawlicka, A., S. J. Teh, S. S. O. Hung, D. E. Hinton, and J. de la Noüe. “Histological and histochemical changes in the digestive tract of white sturgeon larvae during ontogeny.” Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 14, no. 5 (October 1, 1995): 357–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00003374.
Gawlicka A, Teh SJ, Hung SSO, Hinton DE, de la Noüe J. Histological and histochemical changes in the digestive tract of white sturgeon larvae during ontogeny. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry. 1995 Oct 1;14(5):357–71.
Gawlicka, A., et al. “Histological and histochemical changes in the digestive tract of white sturgeon larvae during ontogeny.” Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, vol. 14, no. 5, Oct. 1995, pp. 357–71. Scopus, doi:10.1007/BF00003374.
Gawlicka A, Teh SJ, Hung SSO, Hinton DE, de la Noüe J. Histological and histochemical changes in the digestive tract of white sturgeon larvae during ontogeny. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry. 1995 Oct 1;14(5):357–371.
Journal cover image

Published In

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry

DOI

EISSN

1573-5168

ISSN

0920-1742

Publication Date

October 1, 1995

Volume

14

Issue

5

Start / End Page

357 / 371

Related Subject Headings

  • Fisheries
  • 3005 Fisheries sciences
  • 0704 Fisheries Sciences
  • 0602 Ecology