Ploidy levels and the number of nuclei in cardiomyocytes of the lamprey and fish.

It is well known that polyploidization of cardiomyocytes (CMC) is an essential component of heart growth in the warm-blooded vertebrates. Using the Feulgen cytophotometry of alkali-dissociated cells, we determined the ploidy in CMC of the lower vertebrates: lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis (Cyclostomata), skate Bathyraja maculata (Chondrostei), sterlet Acipenser ruthenus, and Russian sturgeon Acipenser güldenstädti (Ganoids), as well as paradise fish Macropodus opercularis, Amur sleeper Perccottus glehni, and Atlantic salmon Salmo solar (Teleostei). The data obtained have demonstrated a wide variety in CMC ploidy of both cyclostomata and fishes. About 85% of the lamprey CMC contain 2 or more (up to 17) nuclei per cell; with 90 and 10% of the nuclei being, respectively, diploid and tetraploid. Hearts of the skate and sturgeons contain mononucleated diploid CMC. In the perch-like fishes, mononucleated diploid and mononucleated tetraploid CMC make, respectively, 95 and 5%. The salmon heart contains near 50% of mononucleated diploid CMC, 13% of mononucleated tetra- and octaploid CMC, the rest CMC being multinucleated (up to 6 nuclei per cell). In all the examined species, the increased nuclear ploidy is accompanied with a significant increase in the nuclear volume. The number of nucleoli per nucleus does not correlate with the nuclear ploidy level. Evolutionary aspects of CMC polyploidy in chordates are discussed.