RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To probe into the relationship between receptors on the body surface of Cryprinus carpiods and meridians and acupoints of Chinese medicine. METHODS: Six Cryprinus carpiods [body length: (4.0 +/- 0.4) cm] purchased from the market were put into a glass container filling with 30 micromol/L DiA [4-(4-Diethylaminostyryl)-N-Methylpyridinium Iodide] water solution for 2 hours and then anaesthetized (with 2% aether) for observation under fluorescent microscope. Another 6 Cryprinus carpiods [body length: (8.1 +/- 0.6) cm] were put into a pool with 30 micromol/L DiA water solution for 7 days and then anaesthetized for microscopic observation. RESULTS: 1) The DiA-labeled spots appeared on Cryprinus body surface regularly distributing in discontinuous lines, some of them gathered together to form clusters. The labeled spots around the eyes distributed in radial style and in linear arrangement along the margin of the gill cover. On the body trunk, the labeled clusters distributed in linear arrangement along the longitudinal axis of the body and formed 14 lines approximately. 2) In Cryprinus carpiods fed in water with DiA for 7 days, the labeled receptors clearly showed some neuronfibrae. CONCLUSION: The areatus distribution and linear arrangement of receptors on the body surface in Cryprinus carpiods are similar to those of acupoints and meridians described in the human body in Chinese medicine.