Histochemical study of the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatases and lipase in the gastro-intestinal tract of Cirrhinus mrigala

Abstract

The sites of the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatases and lipase have been localized in the gastro-intestinal tract of the fresh water fish, Cirrhinus mrigala. All the three enzymes experimented have been recorded to be active in the mucosal epithelium of all the portions of the alimentary canal. Muscularis and serosa of all the parts of alimentary canal show negative sign for the presence of these enzymes. In the pancreas, both intra-hepatic and extrahepatic, strong activity of these enzymes is dicernible in the acinar cells. Hepatic cells also show intense reaction for these enzymes. In comparison to acid phosphatase, the activity of alkaline phosphatase is more pronounced in all the portions of the alimentary tract. The positive reaction for lipase in the blood and lymph vessels present in the tissues of the alimentary canal signifies the hydrolysis of fats during their transportation.