Physiology of Finfish and Shellfish (2+1)

5.2.16. The corpuscles of stannius

The corpuscles of stannous (CS) were first observed by H. Stannius in 1839. The corpuscles of stannius are generally small nodular bodies present partly or completely embedded on dorsal or dorso-lateral or ventro-lateral sides of the kidney in teleosts. Generally, these glands are present in the posterior portion of the kidney.

The number of corpuscles of stannius is variable in different fishes like Channa, mystus, Catla, etc. The number of corpuscles of stannius is usually 2 or more than 2, but in most of the fishes. This organ secretes a protein called hypocalcin (teleocalcin) that acts with calcitonin to regulate calcium metabolism.