Ultrastructure of the parotid gland in the little brown bat

The ultrastructure of the parotid gland was examined in the little brown bat. The seromucous acinar cells contained abundant granules of variable morphology. These granules were characterized by a submembranous dense layer consisting of fine parallel slats. In some bats, the matrix of the granules was structureless, whereas in others it consisted of closely packed but randomly arranged bundles of tubules. The intercalated ducts had a highly developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, often containing large numbers of intracisternal granules. In contrast, only a few secretory granules were present in the supranuclear cytoplasm. The striated ducts, which exhibited the characteristic basal striations consisting of vertically oriented mitochondria and highly folded plasmalemmas, contained numerous small dense granules in a subluminal band. These granules had a paracrystalline substructure with a periodicity of 8 nm. Excretory ducts strongly resembled striated ducts. They showed the same kind of basal striations and about half their constituent cells contained small paracrystalline granules.     

Ultrastructure of baboon parotid gland

The parotid gland of the olive baboon, Papio anubis, was examined by electron microscopy. The acini are all serous in nature, and consist of pyramidal cells with abundant secretory granules of varying size. These granules consist of a dense matrix in which a denser spherule or lenticular body is present. Granules linked by a short isthmus are observed in the apical cytoplasm, and granules in the process of discharging their contents to the acinar lumen may be connected to the luminal plasma membrane by a neck-like protrusion. Intercalated duct cells contain granules reminiscent of those found in the rat submandibular acinar cells. The striated ducts consist of tall cells interloked in a complex fashion near their bases, with numerous vertically-oriented mitochondria lodged in their basal crenulations. Small vesicles whose contents vary in density are present in the apical cytoplasm as are large deposits of lipofuscin. The striated duct cells display a proclivity for ballooning into the duct lumen. Excretory ducts consist of simple to pseudostratified columnar epithelium, and lack basal striations or apical blebs.     

An unusual parotid gland in the tent-building bat,Uroderma bilobatum: Possible correlation of interspecific ultrastructural differences with differences in salivary pH and buffering capacity

The tent-building bat, Uroderma bilobatum, is a small, frugivorous phyllostomid bat with a broad neotropical distribution. Generally found in humid forest, this bat lives in small groups that create daytime “roosts” from large leaves of a variety of tropical plants. Fruit eating engenders a variety of ecological and physiological challenges for bats, some of which could require adaptive features in their salivary glands. The parotid salivary glands of Uroderma bilobatum were prepared for transmission electron microscopy by using methods that have become standard for field work. The parotid gland is extremely unusual in structure. Although the secretory endpieces still produce serous granules with a complex substructure, they are modified into quasi striated ducts. Their basal folds, which are extensive, occasionally harbor some vertically oriented mitochondria, imparting a resemblance to striated ducts. Other evidence for the endpiece origin of these parenchymal components is a well-developed system of intercellular canaliculi, structures that never occur in bona fide striated ducts. The long but sparse intercalated ducts consist of two types of cells, each of which elaborates a modest number of secretory granules of differing substructure. Striated ducts are of conventional morphology, except that a few dark cells shaped like wine glasses are present in their walls. The striated duct cells produce no secretory granules, but their apical cytoplasm may contain some small, empty vesicles. Capillaries lie in longitudinal grooves in the base of the duct cells, an arrangement that might enhance electrolyte exchange. Excretory ducts consist of simple cuboidal epithelium composed of cytologically unspecialized cells that sometimes includes a dark cell. It was concluded that salivary glands could have a major role in adapting species to acquire nutrients from marginal sources, such as tropical fruits, which have a low protein and sodium content. The unusual parotid acinar cells in Uroderma bilobatum are discussed in the context of salivary pH and buffering capacity. Comparisons are made with four other bat species, including an insectivorous species with a salivary pH > 8.0 and a very high buffering capacity, an intermediate species, and a fruit bat with acidic-stimulated saliva and very low buffering capability. Such interspecific comparisons provide a foundation for hypothesizing that ultrastructural features of the acinar cell basolateral membranes and intercellular canaliculi correlate with differences involving Na⁺/H⁺ exchangers and release of HCO₃⁻ and, thus, are associated with the species differences that are important to diet and nutrient acquisition. Anat. Rec. 252:290–300, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ultrastructure of the principal and accessory submandibular glands of the common vampire bat

The principal and accessory submandibular glands of the common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, were examined by electron microscopy. The secretory endpieces of the principal gland consist of serous tubules capped at their blind ends by mucous acini. The substructure of the mucous droplets and of the serous granules varies according to the mode of specimen preparation. With ferrocyanide-reduced osmium postfixation, the mucous droplets are moderately dense and homogeneous; the serous granules often have a polygonal outline and their matrix shows clefts in which bundles of wavy filaments may be present. With conventional osmium postifixation, the mucous droplets have a finely fibrillogranular matrix; the serous granules are homogeneously dense. Mucous cells additionally contain many small, dense granules that may be small peroxisomes, as well as aggregates of 10-nm cytofilaments. Intercalated duct cells are relatively unspecialized. Striated ducts are characterized by highly folded basal membranes and vertically oriented mitochondria. Luminal surfaces of all of the secretory and duct cells have numerous microvilli, culminating in a brush borderlike affair in the striated ducts. The accessory gland has secretory endpieces consisting of mucous acini with small mucous demilunes. The acinar mucous droplets contain a large dense region; the lucent portion has punctate densities. Demilune mucous droplets lack a dense region and consist of a light matrix in which fine fibrillogranular material is suspended. A ring of junctional cells, identifiable by their complex secretory granules, separates the mucous acini from the intercalated ducts. The intercalated ducts lack specialized structure. Striated ducts resemble their counterparts in the principal gland. As in the principal gland, all luminal surfaces are covered by an array of microvilli. At least some of the features of the principal and accessory submandibular glands of the vampire bat may be structural adaptations to the exigencies posed by the exclusively sanguivorous diet of these animals and its attendant extremely high intake of sodium chloride.     

Histology and ultrastructure of the pig parotid gland

Parotid glands of adult pigs were studied by light and electron microscopy. The parenchyma consists of acini, intercalated ducts, striated ducts, and excretory ducts. Acini had little affinity for periodic acid-Schiff and were alcian blue-negative at pH 2.6 or 0.5. These results indicate a paucity of neutral mucins and an absence of sialo- and sulfomucins. Histologically, acinar cells had vacuoles which corresponded ultrastructurally to large electron-lucent secretory granules. The latter contained electron-dense bodies and lipid droplets. Acinar cells differed histochemically and ultrastructurally from typical serous cells and were classified as special serous. Intercalated duct cells near acini contained electron-dense secretory granules and numerous microfilaments. Cells in distal segments lacked secretory granules. Striated ducts were lined by two types of columnar epithelial cells, light cells and dark cells. Light cells were characterized by numerous infoldings of the basal plasma membrane, mitochondria between the infoldings, and electron-lucent vesicles in the apical cytoplasm. The mitochondria contained tubular cristae. Dark cells were characterized by an abundance of microfilaments and numerous infranuclear processes which extended to the basement membrane. Excretory ducts, in addition to light and dark cells, also contained basal cells and goblet cells. Mitochondria in the light cells had flattened rather than tubular cristae. The pig parotid is a unique salivary gland and the most atypical mammalian parotid gland studied thus far. Mitochondria with tubular cristae and vacuolated special serous cells with lipid in the secretory granules are hallmarks of the pig parotid.     

Ultrastructure of the submandibular gland in the rabbit

The secretory endpieces of the rabbit submandibular gland are unusual in that they consist of seromucous acini (not demilunes) that empty into serous tubules that in turn drain into intercalated ducts. Seromucous granules consist of a moderately dense spherule in a fibrillogranular matrix. Serous granules contain a feltwork of filaments, which are liberated as a tangled skein during exocytosis. Peculiar granulated cells that have secretory granules of complex morphology are present at each end of the serous tubules. Intercalated ducts are, cytologically speaking, relatively simple, but the duct cells may contain a few oblong secretory granules. Striated ducts are typical in structure, although postfixation with ferrocyanide-reduced osmium reveals significant amounts of glycogen in the basal processes. Modified mitochondria are present in striated duct cells, but their frequency varies from rabbit to rabbit. Such mitochondria contain either an array of parallel, rigid cristae linked by intermembranous bridges, or a bundle of helical filaments within an expanded crista. Interspersed with the striated duct cells, especially near the duct origin, are some highly vacuolated cells with sparse mitochondria. Excretory ducts consisting of stratified columnar (sometimes pseudostratified) epithelium often show bleb formation of the luminal surface of the tall cells.     

Ultrastructure of the cat sublingual gland

The sublingual gland of the cat consists primarily of branched secretory tubules that open into an abbreviated duct system. The simple epithelium that composes the secretory tubules consists of an admixture of mucous and serous cells, with the former predominating. Some secretory tubules are capped by a serous demilune. Regardless of position, almost all serous cells have prominent basal folds and border on at least one intercellular canaliculus as well as on the tubule lumen. Serous cells possess an extensive array of irregular, distended cisternae of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum that frequently contain dense intracisternal granules. Serous granules are relatively few in number and rarely show evidence of substructure. Mucous cells, which lack basal folds, contain an apical mass of secretory material in the form of partially fused droplets. The duct system is somewhat less ordered than in most major salivary glands; secretory tubules empty into structures resembling intercalated ducts or may be in direct continuity with ducts intermediate in morphology between intercalated and excretory ducts. The absence of striated ducts noted in this study may be correlated with the high sodium content of cat sublingual saliva. The main excretory duct of the sublingual gland closely resembles that of the cat submandibular gland in terms of morphology, but exhibits little of the transport functions reported in the latter duct.     

Fine structure of bat deep posterior lingual glands (von Ebner's)

We studied the morphology and ultrastructure of the bat (Pipistrellus k.k. and Rhinolophus f.e.) deep posterior lingual glands (Ebner's glands) during hibernation, summer and after stimulation with pilocarpine. Ebner's glands are formed by serous tubulo-alveolar adenomeres and by an excretory system organized in intercalated ducts, long excretory ducts and a main excretory duct. The latter opens in the vallum which surrounds the circumvallate papillae and in the groove of the foliate papillae. The secretory cells, which lack basal folds, show abundant and dense granules (PAS+, Alcian blue -), microvilli (scarce during hibernation), a Golgi apparatus (well developed during summer and after stimulation with pilocarpine), a large nucleus and RER cisternae stacked at the basal pole. Centrioles, lipid droplets, heterogeneous bodies (in content and density, probably lipofuscin bodies), lysosomal multivesicular bodies and large, dense granules with a microcrystalline structure were also encountered. The lateral membranes of adjacent cells are joined by desmosomes; their interdigitations are neither numerous nor prominent during summer. Microfilaments, often gathered in small bundles, lie in the lateral, peripheral cytoplasm without any relation with desmosomes. In summer and particularly after stimulation with pilocarpine, the apical pole of the secretory cells is characterized by many long microvilli, pedunculated hyaloplasmic protrusions and secretory granules. During hibernation the lumen is filled with secretory material. Myoepithelial cells are arranged among secretory cells or between them and the basal lamina. The short intercalated ducts show similarities with the analogous ducts of the parotid gland. Striated ducts are absent. Excretory ducts are endowed with: a) an inner layer of cuboidal cells characterized by poorly developed cytoplasmic organelles, rare dense granules and a few small microvilli; b) an outer layer of basal cells lying on the basal lamina. Myoepithelial cells are absent. The main excretory duct is lined by a stratified epithelium with an inner layer of conical-pyramidal cells surrounded by two-three rows of basal cells. The conical-pyramidal cells show poorly developed organelles, an apical border with small short microvilli and a prominent terminal web.     

Synthesis of secretory and plasma membrane glycoproteins by striated duct cells of rat salivary glands as visualized by radioautography after 3H-fucose injection

The ability of the striated ducts of rat salivary glands to incorporate 3H-fucose into glycoprotein was studied by light and electron microscope radioautography. At 3.5 to 20 minutes after intravenous injection, the majority of the radioautographic grains in the ducts of the parotid gland were localized to the Golgi apparatus. By 40 minutes, the percentage of grains over the Golgi apparatus had decreased; a corresponding increase in grains occurred over small (0.1-0.4 micrometer) apical granules and the highly infolded basal and lateral plasma membranes. By two hours, less than 10% of the label was associated with the Golgi apparatus, while 26% and 28% were attributed to the apical granules and plasma membrane, respectively. By 8 to 12 hours after injection, the number of grains over the apical cytoplasm had decreased, suggesint luminal discharge of the apical granules. In contrast, the basal and lateral plasma membranes remained labeled up to 30 hours after injection as judged by the distribution of grains in light microscope radioautographs. Mitochondria appeared capable of independent incorporation of fucose, accounting for about 20% of the grains from ten minutes to two hours after injection. Comparable results were obtained in the striated ducts of the submandibular and sublingual glands. These results indicate that the striated duct cells readily incorporate 3H-fucose into newly-synthesized glycoproteins. A portion of these are secretory glycoproteins which are packaged and stored in the apical granules, and a portion are membrane glycoproteins which are incorporated into the extensive plasma membrane of these cells.     

Synthesis of secretory and plasma membrane glycoproteins by striated duct cellsof rat salivary glands as visualized by radioautography after 3H-fucose injection

The ability of the striated ducts of rat salivary glands to incorporate ³H-fucose into glycoprotein was studied by light and electron microscope radioautography. At 3.5 to 20 minutes after intravenous injection, the majority of the radioautographic grains in the ducts of the parotid gland were localized to the Golgi apparatus. By 40 minutes, the percentage of grains over the Golgi apparatus had decreased; a corresponding increase in grains occurred over small (0.1-0.4 μm) apical granules and the highly infolded basal and lateral plasma membranes. By two hours, less than 10% of the label was associated with the Golgi apparatus, while 26% and 28% were attributed to the apical granules and plasma membrane, respectively. By 8 to 12 hours after injection, the number of grains over the apical cytoplasm had decreased, suggesting luminal discharge of the apical granules. In contrast, the basal and lateral plasma membranes remained labeled up to 30 hours after injection as judged by the distribution of grains in light microscope radioautographs. Mitochondria appeared capable of independent incorporation of fucose, accounting for about 20% of the grains from ten minutes to two hours after injection. Comparable results were obtained in the striated ducts of the submandibular and sublingual glands. These results indicate that the striated duct cells readily incorporate ³H-fucose into newly-synthesized glycoproteins. A portion of these are secretory glycoproteins which are packaged and stored in the apical granules, and a portion are membrane glycoproteins which are incorporated into the extensive plasma membrane of these cells.     

Immunocytochemical localization of a kallikrein-like serin protease (Esterase A) in rat salivary glands

Light and electron microscopic (EM) immunocytochemical methods have been used to localize arginine esterase A, a kinin-generating enzyme immunologically similar to tissue kallikrein, in rat salivary glands. Both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to arginine esterase A were used in these studies. By means of a polyclonal antiserum, esterase A was found in granular tubules of submandibular glands and in striated ducts of all three major salivary glands, in a distribution similar to that of tissue kallikrein. With recently developed specific monoclonal antibodies to esterease A, this enzyme was localized in the granules of some (but not all) granular convoluted tubule cells (GCT) and along the basal membranes (but not in apical granules) of striated ducts. By an EM immunoperoxidase method, esterase A was localized subcellularly in granules of some GCT cells and along the basal cell membranes of the tubule and duct system. Thus, this enzyme is found in some sites (GCT granules) shared with tissue kallikrein, but in some unique sites, i.e., basal membranes of striated ducts. The polyclonal antibody used in the present study cross-reacted with tissue kallikrein, but when absorbed with kallikrein, it gave the staining pattern characteristic of monoclonal antibody to esterase A.     

Immunocytochemical localization of a kallikrein-like serine protease (esterase A) in rat salivary glands

Light and electron microscopic (EM) immunocytochemical methods have been used to localize arginine esterase A, a kinin-generating enzyme immunologically similar to tissue kallikrein, in rat salivary glands. Both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to arginine esterase A were used in these studies. By means of a polyclonal antiserum, esterase A was found in granular tubules of submandibular glands and in striated ducts of all three major salivary glands, in a distribution similar to that of tissue kallikrein. With recently developed specific monoclonal antibodies to esterase A, this enzyme was localized in the granules of some (but not all) granular convoluted tubule cells (GCT) and along the basal membranes (but not in apical granules) of striated ducts. By an EM immunoperoxidase method, esterase A was localized subcellularly in granules of some GCT cells and along the basal cell membranes of the tubule and duct system. Thus, this enzyme is found in some sites (GCT granules) shared with tissue kallikrein, but in some unique sites, i.e., basal membranes of striated ducts. The polyclonal antibody used in the present study cross-reacted with tissue kallikrein, but when absorbed with kallikrein, it gave the staining pattern characteristic of monoclonal antibody to esterase A.     

Ultrastructure of the anterior buccal gland of the rat

The anterior buccal gland of the rat is a mucous salivary gland which develops as a branch of the main (Stensen's) duct of the serous parotid gland, a few mm from its oral orifice. The purpose of the present study was to further characterize the mature gland by means of electron microscopy and the histochemical demonstration of myoepithelial cells. The tubuloacini were found to have intercellular extensions (canaliculi) of the lumina, prominent Golgi complexes, and mucous secretory granules with a biphasic substructure. Discharge was by exocytosis of individual granules. The tubuloacini joined directly to striated ducts; no intercalated ducts were seen. First-order excretory ducts had larger lumina and shorter columnar cells, with fewer mitochondria and basal infoldings, than the striated ducts. Myoepithelial cells invested the tubuloacini but not the ducts. The anterior buccal gland has several features that are unusual for a minor salivary gland of mucous type, and which are usually associated with serous glands such as the parotid. It should provide a particularly interesting model for investigating factors which control the differentiation of secretory and myoepithelial cells, and the glycosylation of polypeptides to form mucous secretory products.     

Interlobular excretory ducts of mammalian salivary glands: structural and histochemical review

In the major salivary glands of mammals, excretory ducts (EDs) succeed striated ducts. They are for the most part interlobular in position, although their proximal portions sometimes are on the periphery of a lobule, where they occasionally retain some of the structural features of striated ducts. Based on a survey of a broad range of mammalian species and glands, the predominant tissue type that composes EDs is pseudostratified epithelium. In some species, there is a progression of epithelial types: the proximal EDs are composed of simple cuboidal or columnar epithelium that, in the excurrent direction, usually gives way to the pseudostratified variety. Secretory granules are visible in the apical cytoplasm of the principal cells of the EDs of only a few species, but histochemistry has shown the presence of a variety of glycoproteins in these cells in a spectrum of species. Moreover, the latter methodology has revealed the presence of a variety of oxidative, acid hydrolytic, and transport enzymes in the EDs, showing that, rather than simply acting as a conduit for saliva, these ducts play a metabolically active role in gland function. It is difficult to describe a "typical" mammalian ED because it can vary along its length and interspecific variation does not follow a phylogenetic pattern. Moreover, in contrast to intercalated and striated ducts, ED cellular features do not exhibit a relationship to diet.     

Secretion by striated ducts of mammalian major salivary glands: review from an ultrastructural, functional, and evolutionary perspective

In addition to their role in electrolyte homeostasis, striated ducts (SDs) in the major salivary glands of many mammalian species engage in secretion of organic products. This phenomenon usually is manifested as the presence of small serous-like secretory granules in the apical cytoplasm of SD cells. The composition of these granules is largely unknown, except in the case of the cat and rat submandibular gland, where the granules have unequivocally been shown to contain kallikrein. In some species, the apical cytoplasm of SD cells contains variable numbers of vesicles, both spherical and elongated, that vary in appearance from 'empty' to moderately dense. In the rat parotid gland, lucent vesicles transport glycoproteins to the luminal surface where they are incorporated into the apical plasmalemma and the glycocalyx. There is a strong possibility that in various species some of these vesicles are involved in transcytosis of antibodies to the saliva from their source (plasma cells) in the surrounding connective tissue. In addition, vesicles may engage in transfer of growth factors from the saliva to the interstitium. In a few species, conventional SDs have been replaced by ducts that are wholly given over to secretion, i.e., they entirely lack basal striations; although such ducts occupy the histological position of conventional SDs, it is not clear whether they represent a new type of duct or merely are modifications of SDs. Broad-based comparisons of ultrastructural and other data about SDs offer some insight into evolutionary history of salivary glands and their role in the adaptive radiation of mammals. Evolutionary patterns emerged when we made interspecific comparisons across mammalian orders. Among the bats, there is a clear relationship between SD secretion and general categories of diet.     

Ultrastructure of submucosal glands in human anterior middle nasal turbinates

The abundant glands situated in the lamina propria of the human anterior middle nasal turbinate were complex tubules that consist of serous, seromucous, and mucous cells, either singly or in combination. Serous granules were homogeneously dense, but could have a small lighter core. Seromucous granules had a dense rim and a large compartment of appreciably lighter density. Gradation between serous and seromucous granules made precise identification of these secretory cell types difficult. Mucous cells were of conventional morphology. The secretory tubules, which possessed a complement of myoepithelial cells, gradually transformed into ducts or the changeover was relatively sudden. The ductular portions of the tubules consisted either of tall prismatic cells or of shorter columnar cells, both of which lacked secretory granules, but had many mitochondria in their supranuclear cytoplasm. In many cases the ducts, for most of their length, consisted of secretory cells. These glands clearly participate in the elaboration of the glycoconjugate coat that serves to protect the nasal mucosa and keeps it from drying out.     

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF LIVER LESIONS IN PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS

Liver biopsy specimens from a primary biliary cirrhosis (PBG) patient and two control patients with other biliary disorders were examined under the electron microscope, with special reference to intrahepatic bile ducts. The PBG patient had a bile duct with an 80 μm diameter that showed specific alterations in epithelial cells. These cells were termed oncocytes, and their main features were: the presence of a large number of swollen mitochondria with abnormal cristae, no mitochondrial bodies, small number of exocrine granules and an undulated nucleus with a large cytoplasm. The number of mitochondria per ultrathin-sectioned epithelial cell was greater by about 2 times in the oncocytic epithelial cells compared to the control cells. Fine fibrils and long-spacing collagens were present around the PBC bile duct. Periductal capillaries of the bile duct had multilayered basement membranes. These periductal changes may have induced the oncocytic changes in the epithelial cells. The basement membrane of the bile duct was meandrous and often disrupted, but not multilayered. Many lymphocytes and macrophages infiltrated among the epithelial cells.     

On the ultrastructure of the parotid and submandibular gland of the mongoose Herpestes edwardsi (Viverridae) (author's transl)

The parotid and submandibular glands of the mongoose are described. Essential differences between the 2 glands were recognized in the acini; however, the intra- and interlobular ducts are built up similarly. The parotid gland is acinar. Its secretory cells are filled with distinct types of granula, which show a considerable variation of size and structure of their secretory material. Organelles are found sparsely. The submandibular gland, however, is tubuloacinar. Its tubuli are capped with cells which belong to the demilunes of v. EBNER, but because of their pale granules they occupy an exceptional position. As the acinar cells of the parotid gland, they form intercellular canaliculi by their plasmalemmata. In the secretory cells of the tubules an intimate contact between the rER and the granules is observed. The intralobular duct surface is built up by an onelayered epithelial cell formation. The cytoplasm of the intercalated duct cells is rich in bundles of filaments, and these cells contain mitochondria with a particular dense matrix. Some microvilli cover the apical surface. In the cells of the striated ducts several populations of granules differing in size and electron density are found. The material of the dense granules shows a marginal plate-like condensation, sometimes it cristallizes. It is supposed that they were released by an apocrine extrusion mechanism. Terminal axons innervate the acini, the duct cells, and also the myoepithelial cells. The findings are compared with the well-known morphology of the salivary glands of the cat.     

Morphology of the bovine epididymis

The epididymis of the bull was divided into six regions, and morphological differences between regions were studied. The epithelium of all regions contained four cell types: principal and basal epithelial cells, and intraepithelial lymphocytes and macrophages. The epithelium of regions II–V also contained a few apical cells. Principal cells of all regions possessed an endocytotic apparatus including stereocilia underlain by canaliculi, coated vesicles, and subapical vacuoles (up to 1 μm in diameter); however, large vacuoles with a flocculent content and multivesicular bodies (up to 5 μm in diameter) were most numerous in regions II, III, and IV. The unique features of principal cells of region I were the presence of well-developed Golgi bodies, few lipid droplets, and whorls of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the supranuclear cytoplasm. Numerous mitochondria, distended cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and dense granules characterized the infranuclear cytoplasm of the principal cells of regions II–VI; however, these features were more developed in region V. Apical cells were characterized by the apical location of the nucleus, many mitochondria in the apical cytoplasm, and few microvilli at the luminal border. Basal cells with few cytoplasmic lipid droplets were present throughout the length of the epididymis but appeared more numerous in region V. Intraepithelial lymphocytes were present at all levels of the epithelium but were never seen in the lumen. Intraepithelial macrophages containing heterogenous granules, eccentric nuclei, and pseudopods were invariably seen near the basal area of the epithelium in all regions. These observations are discussed in an effort to define the role of each cell type in the epididymal epithelium.     

Fine structure of the epithelial cells of the lingual dorsal mucosa in the guinea pig

The fine structure of the lingual dorsal epithelium of the guinea pig was examined in detail by transmission electron microscopy. In the epithelium of the posterior side of filiform papillae, the surface layer was strongly stained by toluidine blue. This staining pattern is a characteristic feature of hard keratinization. By contrast, in the epithelium on the anterior side of filiform papillae, the surface layer was stained with moderate efficiency by toluidine blue, a characteristic feature of "soft keratinization." The surface area of the interpapillary epithelium was not stained as effectively as these other areas by toluidine blue (Fig. 1). When examined by transmission electron microscopy, cells in the germinal layer of the epithelium on the anterior and posterior sides off iliform papillae and those of the interpapillary epithelium appeared to have an almost identical oval shape. The nuclei of these cells were located in their central areas. In the cytoplasm of these cells, many mitochondria, many free ribosomes, and a few of tonofibrils were seen. Cellular processes were seen to be distributed almost all around each cell. A basal lamina was intercalated between the basal cells of the epithelium and the underlying connective tissue (Fig. 2). In the intermediate layers between the germinal layer and the surface layer of the epithelium, a large number of ketatohyaline granules was observed on the anterior side of filiform papillae. In the deep intermediate layer, mitochondria, kertohyaline granules and free ribosomes were abundant, although the keratohyaline granules were fewer in number and smaller than those in the shallow intermediate layer. Each cell had a rugged surface with spines. The spines of neighbouring cells were linked together by desmosomes (Figs. 3, 4). Both the number and size of the keratohyaline granules tended to increase in the cells of the shallow intermediate layer. Abundant free ribosomes were observed, as was the case in the deep intermediate layer, although the mitochondria were fewer in number than in the deep layers. Relatively flat nuclei were scattered in cells of both the deep and the shallow intermediate layers (Fig. 5). The cells of the surface layer showed a continuous gradation in their composition from that of the cells of the intermediate layer, the major part of their cytoplasm was filled with electron-dense, fibrous structures, and amorphous, moderately electron-dense materials were dispersed between these fibrous structures. A marginal band was located in the contact zone just beneath the cytoplasmic membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)