The integrative segment of the quail Coturnix coturnix japonica. Occurrence and distribution of carbonic anhydrase and complex carbohydrates.

As part of a more extensive study into the involvement of carbonic anhydrase in avian excretory function, the occurrence and distribution of this enzyme was investigated in the quail integrative segment. The integrative segment represents, in birds, that part of the intestinal tract where ureteral urine undergoes postrenal modification to form definitive urine. To define the structural peculiarities within the intestinal epithelium, the constituent parts, namely cloaca, rectum and caecum, as well as the posterior ileum, were examined histochemically to visualise complex carbohydrates. The histochemical findings for carbonic anhydrase activity were compared with the results from a correlative immunohistochemical approach performed with a specific antiserum to avian CA II. Most of the enzyme activity unhomogeneously distributed in the intestinal enterocytes within the mucosal epithelium, was shown to be due to the cytosolic isoenzyme CA II. Additional carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes, distinct from CA II, seem to occur both at the enterocyte brush border and at the smooth muscle layer of the muscularis externa.