A comparative study of phosphatases in the rhombencephalon and mesencephalon of fresh water turtle (Lissemys punctata granosa).

The study deals with the histoenzymological architecture of the rhomencephalon and mesencephalon of a fresh water turtle. Attempt has been made to see the location of phosphatases (acid and alkaline phosphatases, 5-nucleotidase, adenosine triphosphatase) in the different constituents of these brain areas. The distribution of acid phosphatase is similar to Nissl staining, hence the enzyme has been used as a marker to differentiate various nuclei in the different brain areas. Moreover, the concentration of acid phosphatase is higher in large neurons like that of Nissl substance and, therefore, all such cells are quite distinct. Alkaline phosphatase predominates in blood vessels. Neuropil and neuronal activity of this enzyme is restricted to limited nuclei, only. 5-nucleotidase is localized in all the cells as well as in the neuropil. Adenosine triphosphatase activity is quite strong in all the brain areas irrespective of their sensory and motor nature. In turtle brain it has not been possible to distinguish sensory and motor areas on the basis of phosphatases distribution as calimed in fishes and mammals by several workers. Significance of the enzymes at various locales has been brought out in the contribution.