Ultrastructure and Histochemistry of the Adhesive Breeding Glands in Male Gastrophryne carolinensis (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae)

Abstract

The histology, histochemistry, and ultrastructure of the adhesive breeding glands of male Gastrophryne carolinensis are described. Adhesive glands are mutlicellular exocrine glands in the dermis of the sternum and forearm that cause the male to adhere to the female during amplexus. The epithelial cells have distinct plasma membranes, and the product consists of electron-dense secretory granules that fill the cytoplasm and are released intact by an apocrine process. We support one previous study and contradict another report by finding that adhesive glands react positively for neutral carbohydrates and negatively for glycosaminoglycans and proteins. The ultrastructural results, the first on these organs, confirm that adhesive glands are derived from mucous glands and not serous glands.