Glycosidases in lymphomyeloid (hematopoietic) tissues of elasmobranch fish

Abstract

Abstract 1. 1. High lysozyme and chitinase activities were found in Leydig's organ of Etmopterus spinax, Somniosus microcephalus and Torpedo nobiliana, in Leydig's and epigonal organs and spleen of Raja radiata, and in the epigonal organ of Rhinoptera bonasus. 2. 2. Strong chitinase activity with little or no lysozyme activity was noted in Leydig's and epigonal organs of Scyliorhinus canicula, and in the epigonal organ of Ginglymostoma cirratum and Heterodontus francisci. 3. 3. Very high β-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity was found in lymphomyeloid organs of all species investigated, and in the pancreas of Somniosus microcephalus. 4. 4. Thirteen other glycosidases were assayed in lymphomyeloid and digestive tissues of Ginglymostoma cirratum, Heterodontus francisci and Etmopterus spinax. Activities of α- d -mannosidase, β- d -galactosidase, β- d -N- acetylgalactosaminidase , β- d -glucuronidase and α- and β- d -glucosidase usually were higher in lymphomyeloid tissues than in digestive tissues.