Histochemical and ultrastructural investigations on the renal parenchyma of the Egyptian Nile Monitor Lizard (Varanus niloticus)

Abstract

AbstractVaranus niloticus (Linnaeus, 1766), the Nile monitor lizard, is considered the largest lizard in Africa and one of the most widespread. The Egyptian Nile monitor lizard exists in variable habitats, from grasslands to rainforests. This study pointed to investigate the light and ultrastructural features of the renal tissue of this lizard. Microscopically, the lizard nephron deprived from loop of henle and no demarcation could be detected between the cortical and medullary tissues. The renal corpuscles were small, but complex structures. The proximal convoluted tubules were lined by acidophilic cuboidal cells with hemosiderin pigment in their apical cytoplasm. The cytoplasm of the distal convoluted tubular cells reacted strongly with alcian blue stain. The sexual segment of the lizard kidney was lined with high columnar cells with massive periodic acid–Schiff‐positive/alcian blue‐negative supra‐nuclear granules. Ultrastructurally, the basal infoldings of the proximal convoluted cells were evident. Supra‐nuclear electron‐dense vesicles were detected in the cytoplasm of the sexual segment cells. In summary, the kidney of the Egyptian Nile monitor lizard shares many histochemical features with other reptiles. However, they own several structural specializations in order to adapt to their harsh environments. Future studies focusing on the histochemical components of the sexual segment secretion would be required.