THE LOCALIZATION OF HEPARIN-LIKE BLOOD ANTICOAGULANT SUBSTANCES IN THE TISSUES OF SPISULA SOLIDISSIMA

Abstract

A blood anticoagulant material equal in potency to heparin was obtained from the surf clam, Spisula (Mactra) solidissima. by means of a heparin extraction procedure. The amt. of anticoagulant in various tissues of this clam was compared with the pattern of metachromatic staining in tissue sections. It was concluded that the anticoagulant is derived in part from a mucous secretion peculiar to the palps, gills and inner mantle surface and in part from an intercellular connective tissue substance found predominantly in the mantle structure. It was postulated that this connective tissue substance may be involved in calcification processes. The eggs of Spisula were also found to contain anticoagulant material thought to be derived mainly from the jelly coat but in part from the cortex and nucleolus.