Histochemischer Nachweis von Aktin in den terminalen Darmgäßen des Huhnes*

Using fluorescence microscopy, cytoskeletal actin filaments were found in the terminal blood vessels of chicken intestine. Direct detection with Tetramethylrhodaminyl-Phalloidin showed a high concentration of actin filaments in the tunica media and a low concentration in the endothelium. Actin filaments were also present in the endothelial cells of capillaries and to a higher degree also in the pericytes. The wall of the veins in the villi, which were concentrically surrounded by bundles from the tunica muscularis mucosae, had a greater number of actin filaments than the wall of the venules present in the villi. The discussion touches on the possibility that the microfilaments play a role in blood regulation, especially in the capillaries.