INCREASE OF CORTICAL CALCIUM WITH AGE IN THE CELLS OF A ROTIFER, EUCHLANIS DILATATA, A PLANARIAN, PHAGOCATA SP., AND A TOAD, BUFO FOWLERI, AS SHOWN BY THE MICROINCINERATION TECHNIQUE

Abstract

A rotifer, Euchlanis dilatata, a planarian, Phagocata sp., and toad, Bufo fowleri, were selected for an analysis of Ca localization and of possible Ca increase with age. Samples of animals of different ages were sectioned, incinerated and examined with a darkfield microscope. Ca was identified by means of Na alizarin sulfonate and the gypsum reaction. Ca increased with age in the cell membranes of all the cells studied. Ca also increased with age in the nuclei and cytoplasm of nerve and interstitial cells of Phagocata and the cells of Euchlanis. Because of the large amts. of Ca present in the nuclei it was difficult to determine the degree of Ca increase. The Fe content of the various cells varied considerably but inconsistently with age. Control slides stained with Ehrlich''s hematoxylin showed a correlation between the intensity of staining of structures and the Ca content of those structures. The suggestion was made that Ehrlich''s hematoxylin may be used as an indicator for bound Ca in cells.