Summary: We studied the basal lamina of duodenal epithelial cells of Xenopus laevis during metamorphosis. During prometamorphosis (Stages 56-59) it was almost flat, except for areas where it curved along the many fingerlike processes present in the cellular base of epithelial cells. In the flat areas of basal lamina, a thin (50nm), low electron-dense layer of lamina lucida was identified. Next to it was a 50 nm layer of lamina densa with high electron density which curved along the cellular processes in what appeared as 2-3 layers. During the early stages of metamorphic climax (Stages 60-62), the curving of the basal lamina along the cellular processes was yet more extensive and layers of lamina densa, folded 2-4 times, predominated over single layers. In stage 61, the lamina densa further condensed by folding and the thickness of the basal epithelial cells was clearly visible; the condensed lamina densa beneath it gradually disappeared. During the later stages of metamorphic climax (Stages 63-66), the basal lamina became flat and the lamina densa exhibited only one layer. The thickness of the lamina densa was approximately 50 nm which was nearly the same as that of the primary epithelium during the early stages of prometamorphosis. The observed morphologic changes of the basal lamina during metamorphosis may be related to morphologic changes of the epithelium and underlying connective tissue, and the basal lamina may play an important role in these morphologic changes.
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