Histochemical Characterization of the Nephron Carbohydrates in the Spiny-Tailed Lizard, Uromastyx Microlepis
Abstract
A histochemical investigation was carried out on the nephron of the spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx microlepis. The renal glomeruli contain neutral mucosubstances but are devoid of glycogen, sialomucins and sulfomucins. The nephron tubular system contains neutral mucosubstances together with sialomucins and sulfomucins liable to neuraminidase and hyaluronidase, respectively. The functional significance of the present findings is discussed in the view of adaptation of the species under study to its harsh desert habitat.
Key words: Carbohydrate , histochemisty, nephron, lizard, Uromastyx microlepis.