Determination of renin in the corpuscles of Stannius of the teleost.

Abstract The renin contents of the corpuscles of Stannius (CS) and kidney were determined in Cyprinus carpio, Carassius auratus , and Lophius litulon . The tissue extracts were incubated with homologous plasmas as the angiotensinogen source, and the resulting vasopressor activity was bioassayed in anesthetized rats. Renin activities per g of the corpuscular tissue were comparable those of the kidney, but total amounts were 0.13. 0.081, and 0.72% of those in the kidney of Cyprinus, Carassius , and Lophius , respectively. The activity in the corpuscles is specific to them, since no pressor activity was found in the heart, spleen, hepatopancreas, testis, ovary, and head kidney treated by the same procedures. The pressor activity formed in the incubation media showed some characteristics of angiotensin. Granules were demonstrated by Bowie's method in the corpuscles of Carassius, Lophius , and four other teleosts. The role of the renin in the corpuscles is not known.