Influence of feeding level on the population of C-terminal-gastrin-immunoreactive cells in the digestive tract of young Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822).

Abstract

C-terminal-gastrin-immunoreactive cells, representing cholecystokinin (CCK) cells, were predominantly found in the first flexure of the anterior part of the intestine of young African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Gastrin-containing cells could not be identified in the stomach using the same techniques and antibodies, suggesting the presence of different C-terminus of gastrin in this species compared with higher vertebrates. The number of CCK-like cells did not change in fish fed at 9% of body weight daily (low feeding level), but in fish fed at 27% the number of CCK-cells increased from week 6 and was significantly higher than the number in fish on the low feeding level at 8 weeks old. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)