A cytochemical study of the "chloride cells" in the skin of a fresh-water teleost (Channa striata (Bl.) Channidae, Pisces).

The chloride cells in the skin of Channa striata have been described. The cytoplasm of these cells is filled with acidophilic, osmiophilic and sudanophilic granules. The sudanophila is due to phospholipids. These cells give positive reaction for chloride ions and exhibit the presence of neutral mucopolysaccharides. The cytoplasm of these cells is packed with numerous mitochondria and exhibit high succinic dehydrogenase activity which may provide the energy needed for the active transportation of ions. Alkaline phosphatase activity could not be demonstrated in these cells. The presence of chloride cells in comparatively large numbers in the regions where the epidermis is thin is correlated as an adaptation for the increased efficiency of these cells for the transportation of ions so as to maintain the osmotic concentration of its body fluid which is higher than that of the surrounding medium.