Hepatic Glycogen Depletion in Amphiuma during Induced Anoxia

Abstract

Giant salamanders, Amphiuma means, measuring 240 to 280 millimeters from snout to vent, tolerate induced anoxia for 6 hours. After 3 hours of anoxia, hepatic glycogen units are reduced in size and concentration; after 6 hours the glycogen units are almost completely depleted. Greater development and changes in the density of the endoplasmic reticulum indicate that this structure participates in the mobilization of glycogen from the cell.