Cytochemical studies of cell population in peripheral blood smears of two West African teleosts.

The peripheral blood cells of two West African teleosts were examined for lipids, glycogen, desoxyribonucleic acid, succinic, lactic and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases as well as DPNH- and TPNH-diaphorases, using cytochemical staining techniques. Our results suggest that both erythrocytes and thrombocytes as well as leucocytes are highly active metabolically, as indicated by strong reactions for LDH, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, DPNH- and TPNH-diaphorases. There is no evidence for the Krebs' cycle in any of the blood cells, The nuclei of erythrocytes and thrombocytes appear to be sites of activity of 'mitochondrial' type.