The 3D-Architecture of the Blood Vascular System of the Ventral Tail Fin in Tadpoles of Xenopus Laevis Daudin: Intravital Microscope Observations and Scanning Electron Microscopy of Vascular Corrosion Casts

Abstract

Abstract Abstract Hemodynamics and 3D- architecture of the vascular network of the ventral tail fin of tadpoles of the South African Clawed Toad, Xenopus laevis Daudin were studied by intravital video microscopy (IVM) (stage 56) and vascular corrosion casts (VCCs)(stage 58). IVM enabled a detailed study of the circulation in segmental arteries, segmental venules and interposed capillaries. SEM of VCCs and 3-D morphometry allowed exact measurements of vessel diameters. Anuran tadpoles are good models to study blood vessel growth (=angiogenesis) (1-3) as well as blood vessel regression which occurs physiologically when tadpoles loose larval specific organs such as gills and tail during metamorphosis (4,5). The translucent ventral tail fin enables in-vivo observations of the living circulation by intravital light microscopy (1,2) and allows correlations between vessel fine structure and dynamics of blood flow under various conditions (2). This study focuses on the 3D-architecture of the blood vascular system in the ventral tail fin of tadpoles of Xenopus laevis Daudin in stage 58, i.e. at the begin of metamorphic climax.