A comparative histochemical study of the distribution of esterase in the gastro-intestinal tract of some Indian teleosts.

The investigations on the distribution of esterase (EC 3.1.1.1) activity in the gastro-intestinal tract of four Indian fresh water teleost fishes, namely Mastacembelus, Bagarius, Glossogobius and Rohtee showed that the highest esterase activity occurred in the case of Mastacembelus. No notable esterase activity was recorded in the stomach of Bagarius and Glossogobius and in the intestinal bulb of Rohtee. The distribution of the esterase activity in the tissues of the intestine of all the fishes studied suggests the clue for the production of the enzyme in the intestine of the fishes as well. The sites of the distribution of the enzyme through the gastro-intestinal tract of the four fishes have been discussed.