Library

Notes: Abstract Ten male weanling Holtzman rats, injected intraperitoneally with aqueous estradiol (Progynon, Schering), in daily doses of 1 μg. per g body weight, were sacrificed, simultaneously with controls receiving an equivalent amount of diluent, at intervals ranging from one hour to six days. Upper tibial epiphyseal cartilage plates (ECP), procesed for electron microscopy, revealed, as early as three hours after injection, appreciable enhancement of secretory activity, evidenced, in the zone of matrix secretion, by the abundance in Golgi cisternae of stippled material representing proteinpolysaccharide complexes. Disintegration of the lining membrane of individual Golgi vesicles was advanced after twenty-four hours; following three days of treatment, few vesicles remained intact, and pools of initially intravacuolar material were observable in the gound plasm. Long filaments, suggestive of primary or precursor collagen fibrils were apparent in this secretion. After six days, virtual lakes of this substance filled cells in the zone of prehypertophy, with consequent displacement of the rough endoplasmic reticulum against the cell periphery. Cytoplasmic vacuoles, containing mateerial similar to that found in the lacunar moat, and displaying finely beaded, radially arrayed filaments on the lining membrane were frequently encountered. Our observations suggest an initial acclleration of chondrocytic secretory activity, with subsequent retardation of transport. The resultant retention and intracellular polymerization of precollagenous products accelerates hypertrophy, thereby promoting early degeneration of chondrocytes. These ultrastructural alterations are apparently estrogen-specific.

Notes: Abstract Although experimental and clinical experience indicates that large doses of testosterone lead to premature cessation of growth, the exact mechanism and precise site of action of this hormone on the growth apparatus of long bones remain unknown. In this study, plateaued male rats were injected with supraphysiologic doses of testosterone to observe the submicroscopic effects on the various zones of the epiphyseal cartilage. In the zone of cell division there were increased numbers of dividing cells. The maturing cells accumulated larger amounts of secretory products at earlier stages of their life cycle, and appeared to undergo a more abrupt hypertrophy. In the zone of prehypertrophy, the interterritorial matrix contained foci of early and premature calcification and thicker and longer collagen fibers than at comparable levels in controls. It is concluded that in intact animals, even large doses of testosterone initially cause a stimulation of chondrocyte proliferation, prior to promoting maturation processes.

Notes: Abstract The initiation of prisms occurs in the proximal region of the outer surface of the outer mantle fold in the pallial space bounded externally by the periostracum. The first step in the formation of a prism is similar to that observed in the formation of nacre, namely, the elaboration of an electron-dense lamella that serves as the internal boundary of the future prism. Fragments of the lamella become detached and migrate to a chamber bounded externally by the periostracum. These lamellar fragments form envelopes within which crystal initiation and growth oocur. At the same time stout interprismatic walls appear. They are also derived from the lamellae. Growth consisting of the formation of additional crystals and the organic components finally give rise to the mature elongated prism. Growth of the shell occurs at the margin chiefly by formation of new prisms in this area. In addition a modified environment consisting of duplicature of the periostracum on the distal surface results in the formation of thin spurs containing prisms that occur within the confines of the space created by the periostracal loop.

Notes: Abstract The organic phase (or crystallite ghost) associated with each crystallite, together with the background material associated with each crystallite cluster, was demonstrated in calcified cartilage using basic chromium sulphate as a combined fixative, stain, and demineralizing agent. Subsequent treatment of the tissue with papain, or with hyaluronidase, suggests that the crystallite ghosts represented a protein-polysaccharide complex and that the background material was principally protein together with some acid polysaccharide. The relationship between inorganic and organic phases is discussed.

Notes: Summary This paper describes the morphological events which take place in the hamster Leydig cell during its process of prenatal and postnatal differentiation. The most strinking feature of the prenatal differentiation is the high development of the vesicular form of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (S.E.R.). At around the end of the first month of postnatal life the vesicular form of the S.E.R. is replaced by a truly reticular S.E.R. formed by numerous interconnected cisternae. From fetal to adult life the amount of ribosomes decreases whereas the number of mitochondria and Golgi cisternae increases. It is concluded that the differentiation mechanism of the hamster Leydig cell differs from that observed in the Leydig cell of other species, even of those closely related to the hamster, such as the mouse.

Notes: Summary The ultrastructure of the rat uterine luminal epithelium has been examined during normal pregnancy, pseudopregnancy, lactation and lactation-pregnancy, all being conditions when a blastocyst is known to be able to implant. In all four groups of animals the epithelium passes through three characteristic and structurally similar states, namely a pre-attachment state, an attachment state and a postattachment state. The attachment state is characterized by a close contact between apposing luminal surfaces of the epithelium. It is concluded that implantation in an undamaged uterus claims a sequence of certain changes in the uterine luminal epithelium, and that the blastocyst attachment occurs within the early part of that period when the luminal epithelium is in the attachment state.

Notes: Summary Fertilized rabbit ova were studied in the period from 25 to 144 hr after insemination. Eggs were recovered by flushing the uterine horns and oviducts with Hank's solution. The cells were morphologically alike in the 24 and 48 hr ova. At 661/2 hr blastomeres were differentiated into an inner mass of cells with dense cytoplasm and an outer trophoblastic layer with less dense cytoplasm. Otherwise no morphological differences were seen. Whether the 661/2 hr ova were morulas or blastocysts is discussed. The 96 hr ova were clearly blastocysts. Inner cells and trophoblastic cells at this stage bad the same cytoplasmic density. Mitochondria were increased in number and crystal-like figures were present for the first time. In the 120 and 144 hr ova the cytoplasm of the trophoblastic cells was denser than that of the inner cells. Trophoblastic cells were characterized by their density, crystal-like figures, elongated mitochondria with transverse cristae and many single ribosomes and they were interconnected with well developed junctional complexes. In a few cases a continuity seemed to exist between trophoblastic cells and inner cells. The latter were characterized by cytoplasm of less density than that of the trophoblastic cells, rounded mitochondria and fewer ribosomes. The fine structure of the crystal-like figures, their possible origin and differentiation of the mitochondria are discussed.

Notes: Summary A histochemical and ultrastructural investigation of the early development of the adenohypophysis was carried out on a human material. Special attention was paid to an accumulation of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin-4-and/or-6-sulfate in the mesenchyma; its role in morphogenesis of the Rathke's pouch is discussed. The role of the vessels as a “critical factor” in the budding of the parenchyma and in the differentiation of secretory cells is discussed. Canalicular extensions from the original lumen of the pouch into the core of parenchymal buds, which migrate into the mesenchyma, is a new observation. The participation of canaliculi in formation of follicular structures of pars distalis is described and discussed. The primitive cell type lining the pouch is also found in the wall of canaliculi and follicular structures. The cell type is described and its role as the real progenitor cell of the adenohypophysis is discussed. Three types of colloid are noticed in pars distalis: 1. In the follicular structures, 2. in the slits or clefts caused by partial occlusion of the lumen of the pouch, and 3. mesenchymal extravasal colloid presumably representing material squeezed out from the aforementioned clefts or slits. It is concluded that the colloid contains material secreted from different types of granulated cells as well as material from the surface coat of the luminal cells.

Notes: Abstract A small patch of cells in the epithelium of the anterior surface of the collar of the serpulidPomatoceros caeruleus contains membrane-bound vacuoles filled with crystalline material. The crystals have rhomboidal or rectangular profiles and have been shown by electron diffraction analysis to be composed of hydroxyapatite and calcium magnesium phosphate. The apices of the cells are bordered by microvilli. Some cells also have apical cilia. The cells contain Golgi complexes in the apical cytoplasm. Large numbers of mitochondria are distributed thoughout the cytoplasm. The possible function of these mineral-containing cells as sites for storage of calcium and/or phosphorus is discussed.

Notes: Summary Skeletal muscles from a patient with type IV glycogenosis were studied by light and electron microscopy. The distinctive polysaccharide deposits were more abundant in the tongue and diaphragm than other skeletal muscles. The involved myofibers contained fusiform areas filled with polyhedral or rounded granules of basophilic material that was further characterized by staining with periodic acid-Schiff, Grocott methenamine silver and alcian blue. Ultrastructurally the deposits were composed of branched filaments, osmophilic granules and electron-dense amorphous material. There are sufficient ultrastructural, histochemical and chemical similarities among the deposits in type IV glycogenosis, Lafora bodies and visceral deposits in myoclonus epilepsy, corpora amylacea and basophilic degeneration of the myocardium to suggest a common composition and mechanism of synthesis possibly through reversal of the debranching enzyme system. However, sharing a biochemical pathway does not necessarily imply a common etiological factor.

Notes: Summary The object of the present study was to analyse the ultrastructure of Opalski cells, obtained in tissue culture according to the method described by Mossakowskiet al. (1970). The electron microscopic picture of the Opalski cells was characterized by scanty endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus and a greatly reduced number of mitochondria, as compared with glial cells cultured in vitro. Their cytoplasm contained two types of spherical bodies, one of which corresponded to lysosome-like bodies; the second one, in the authors' opinion, represented an accumulation of mucopolysaccharide substances. The ultrastructural picture of Opalski cells corresponded well with their previously described histochemical properties.

Notes: Summary Examinations of 10 muscle biopsies in Duchenne type of progressive muscular dystrophy were performed. The different particular myopathic changes are analysed and their specificity is discussed. Two groups of changes are observed, one concerning total fiber involvement, the other the focal degenerations. In the first group muscle fiber necrosis, associated regenerations, fiber degeneration with initial disturbance of the filamentous arrangement and atrophia simplex are described. Focal myopathic changes appeared predominantly in type I fibers and consisted of Z-streaming and lipid storage in central fiber parts. None of the particular fiber changes are specific, only the distribution of their frequency shows a characteristic pattern. Pathogenic factors of the different particular fiber changes are discussed, especially of the lipid accumulation in the type I fibers.

Notes: Summary Small quantities of ferritin or Thorotrast were injected into the visual cortex of the cat in order to determine which cells in the cerebrum exhibited endocytic activity when exposed to foreign material. Blocks of tissue from the cortex and adjacent white matter were examined by electron microscopy 5 h and 20 h after injection. Some neurons and oligodendrocytes and all the astrocytes examined showed pinocytotic activity. Increasing the time of exposure of the tissue to the tracer did not appear to result in greatly increased uptake by individual cells, except in the case of astrocytes. Neutrophils, which invaded the tissue after 5 h, and in increased numbers after 20 h, exhibited minimal endocytic activity when they invaded the grey matter. They were more active in the white matter. Up to 20 h after injection, the three most important endocytic elements in the cerebrum were astrocytes (collectively), pale perivascular cells within the basement membrane of the blood vessels and phagocytes, which appeared to be reactive endogenous cells.

Notes: Summary Fractions with 95–98% glomeruli have been obtained from rat kidneys with a sieve method described in detail. 10 different rinsing solutions have been used during isolation and their influence on the ultrastructure of the glomeruli has been controlled electron microscopically. The podocytes exhibit a strong edema of cytoplasm and nucleus, reaching up to cytolysis, after Krebs-Henseleit-bicarbonate-, Krebs-Ringer-phosphate- and Robinson-solution. After a Krebs-Henseleit-bicarbonate solution with pH 7.9 instead of pH 7.4 most podocytes have been damaged irreversibly. A satisfying ultrastructure resulted after solutions with a higher colloid osmotic pressure or osmotic pressure. The best results have been obtained with Krebs-Henseleit-bicarbonate solution pH 7.4+3% dextran (mol wt 40000), after which about 60% of the podocytes have been calculated to be intact. 40% of the podocytes in this fraction mainly were mechanically damaged. While endothelium and mesangium show only minor structural aberrations after the different rinsings, thus most podocytes are damaged irreversibly after Krebs-Henseleit-bicarbonate pH 7.9, and on the other hand about 60% may be intact after Krebs-Henseleit-bicarbonate pH 7.4+3% dextran.

Notes: Within the supraesophageal ganglion of polynoids is a vertical fiber tract which has the appearance of a “Y” in transverse sections of the brain, and contains the axons of many neurosecretory cells. The granule-filled terminals of these neurosecretory fibers are found at the base of the tract where they are in contact with the inner surface of the sheath covering the ventral surface of the brain. This sheath separates these neurosecretory endings from an underlying pericapsular epithelium which is thicker in this region. Beneath this pericapsular epithelium is a coelomic sinus. The dorsal blood vessel is located within this sinus and is “innervated” by a pair of fiber bundles that pass out of the brain at the base of the vertical fiber tract. The outer surface of the vessel is covered by epithelioid cells which contact these fiber bundles and the thickened pericapsular epithelium, and sometimes contain granular cytoplasmic inclusions. The lumen of the vessel is continuous with the lumina of a pair of cellular, thickwalled structures of unknown function which are attached to the ventro-lateral margins of the brain. The relationship between neurosecretory endings, enlarged pericapsular cells, coelomic sinus and blood vessel provides morphological evidence for the hypothesis that these structures are elements of a neuroendocrine system, similar in some respects to the brain-infracerebral gland complex of nereid and nephtyid polychaetes.

Notes: Gross details of the reproductive cycle and the cytology of oogenesis were studied in 155 egg clutches produced by 69 captive individuals of the triploid parthenogenetic lizard Cnemidophorus uniparens. The mean clutch cycle lasted 23 days. The mean number of ova per clutch was 3.3, and the mean number of oocytes per right and left ovaries was 1.65 and 1.70, respectively. Comparison of the size of the oocytes at ovulation (9-10 mm) with the estimated mean duration of vitellogenesis (8.8 days) gave an average of approximately 1 mm yolk deposition per day. The mean time for the retention of eggs in the oviducts was 9.3 days. The germinal disc of the oocyte consists of a series of layers formed by the arrangement of various cytoplasmic and yolk particles in the polar region. In a mature oocyte the germinal vesicle is located immediately below the vitelline membrane and lies at the center of the germinal disc. The germinal vesicle is characterized by a dense disc-like cluster of diplotene chromosomes. Diplonema extends until near ovulation when the oocytes have attained a size of about 9 mm. Diakinesis and metaphase I occur rapidly and immediately prior to ovulation. Counts of approximately as many bivalents as there are somatic chromosomes were obtained from oocytes at diakinesis and metaphase I.The second division occurs almost immediately before or at the precise moment of ovulation. The chromosomes of the first polar body consist of dyads, of which there are as many as the triploid number of 69. A metaphase II plate obtained in polar view also revealed dyad chromosomes, of which there were approximately as many as the triploid somatic number. The second telophase is normal as evidenced by formation of the second polar body. Chromosomes from the opposing telophase plates show a monad structure. The presence of as many bivalents in the first division as the triploid somatic number of 69 indicates that the 3N condition of C. uniparens was doubled prior to meiosis. This is further supported by the occurrence of two maturation divisions each giving rise to a polar body, by the dyad structure of the chromosomes in the first polar body and the second metaphase, and by the presence of monochromosomes at telophase II. Thus, parthenogenesis in these lizards is of the meiotic type. The somatic number of chromosomes is doubled early in oogenesis presumably by a premeiotic endoduplication, and the 3N level is restored by two subsequent maturation divisions.

Notes: The cloacal sacs of Leptotyphlops dulcis are nonglandular, posterior evaginations of the cloaca. The median cloacal gland is tubuloalveolar. Similar unpaired cloacal glands as well as paired sacs are noted in certain colubrid snakes. Terminology applied to these cloacal derivatives is discussed, and a standardization of names is provided.

Notes: The antennal flagellum of the male sorghum midge is about a millimeter long and may bear over 500 sense organs. These consist of (1) tactile hairs, (2) thin-walled pegs, (3) circumfila and (4) very small pegs of unknown function. Each of the 12 subsegments of the flagellum is divided into two globular nodes and each of these is encircled by a circumfilum of from 6 to 14 loops. The circumfila are attached to the antennal surface by short stalks. The loops of the circumfila have the basic structure of thin-walled chemoreceptors: (1) very small pores in their delicate wall and (2) a lumen filled with branches of dendrites from sensory neurons. The outer surface of the circumfilum is covered with a labyrinth of fine ridges between which the pores are located. Some evidence was obtained that the circumfila are produced in the pupa by bifurcate trichogen cells.The flagellum of the female is shorter than that of the male and composed of 12 cylindrical subsegments. The circumfila of the female lie close to the surface to which they are attached by short stalks. Each is composed of two parts that encircle the subsegment and of two others that run lengthwise between the circles. The surface is nearly smooth, perforated by fine openings and lacks the complex pattern of ridges seen in the male. It also has more dendrite branches but, otherwise, has the same basic structure.

Notes: Electron microscopic observations on the mechanically undisturbed guinea pig bone marrow show that the sinusoidal lining is continuous. There are neither intercellular nor intracellular apertures allowing free communication between the extravascular and intravascular compartments. A transient migration pore is only formed during the diapedetic transit of blood cells. Serial sections show that this aperture is transcellular. A functional continuity of the sinusoidal lining appears to be maintained during the diapedesis of blood cells, which is evident from the absence of a significant extravascular leakage of plasma during this process.

Notes: The earliest visible changes that occur in the normal organization of the lens epithelium after a penetrating wound in the lens suggest that passage of an injury stimulus outward from the wound occurs within the first half day after injury: changes in normal tissue architecture appear near the wound at six hours and move outward to involve the proliferative zone by 12 hours. This is followed by migration of cells toward the wound. There is a slight increase in cell number in the proliferative zone within the first day, followed at later intervals by a decrease there and a concomitant increase in cell number adjacent to the wound. After a pre-injury injection of H3-TdR (or I125-UdR), labeled cells that had incorporated the precursor in the normal proliferative zone were found progressively closer to the wound with increasing time. Only the cells which incorporated the radioactive tracer could be followed, but it is likely that cells in the central areas also migrated toward the wound since they showed spindling and superimposition. Migration of cells into the wound margins is an important phase of wound closure which begins long before the major productions of new cells by mitosis.

Notes: Growth of the skeleton of regenerating spines of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, was studied with the light and scanning electron microscopes during the formation of a growth ring or cycle.Growth was initiated about three days after fracture and was linear between 5 and about 40 days after fracture, with a mean rate of 0.16 mm/day. There-after, a decline in growth rate was observed, being attributed to abrasion.The new skeleton first appeared as minute, conical „micro-spines“ on the fractured surface of the spine shaft initiating regeneration of the inner zone of meshwork. Subsequent growth of micro-spines of both the developing inner zone of meshwork, and an outer zone of radiating wedges, formed a conical fenestrated skeleton on the fractured surface of the shaft. Further deposition of micro-spines along the shaft, initially at the level of fracture, formed meshwork which gradually became solidified externally resulting in a new cycle about 60 days after fracture. In contrast, a new cycle was initiated at the milled ring in non-fractured spines during total regeneration on bare tubercles, demonstrating that growth of spines also takes place in the absence of fracture.Experiments conducted in vitro demonstrate that spine regeneration is not a polar phenomenon.

Notes: In the telotrophic ovarioles of Dysdercus fasciatus, mononucleate, binucleate and multinucleate trophocytes are seen in the germarium. Cellular breakdown of the multinucleate cells is seen in the posterior part of this tissue. The nutritive cords, which are continuous with the trophic core at the one end and the oocytes of the vitellarium at the other, contain material of fibrous appearance which continues into the trophic core. The ovariole is enclosed in two sheaths throughout its length. Prefollicular tissue in the germarium appears to give rise to the follicle cells. Mitosis is common in this zone. Oocytes are at first surrounded by a multilayered epithelium. This is later reduced progressively to one layer. This one layered follicular epithelium is at first columnar but then changes to cuboidal mononucleate, cuboidal binucleate and finally to a squamous binucleate condition This epithelium thus seems to accommodate the increased volume of the oocyte by growth and a change of shape. The oocyte grows fastest at those times when it is surrounded by cuboidal and squamous epithelial cells.

Notes: Walking of Chrysemys has been studied by cinephotography and x-rays. The lateral sequence, diagonal couplet gait, limb support sequence, and wide track provide great stability, yet a slight pitch and roll cause some plastral drag. Velocity ranges from 28 mm to 51 mm/second, and fluctuates within a stride. Limb movements and structure resemble those of other ectotherms, but incorporate modifications reflecting the animal's short, broad trunk encased in a shell and carried close to the ground. The triradiate pectoral girdle so articulates with the shell as to act as a truss for weight transfer to the ground. Girdle rotation increases the efficiency of the girdle as a truss, and contributes to locomotor efficiency. The glenoid cavities are more than twice as far apart as the acetabula, so a thrust from the pectoral girdle has less propulsive efficiency on the center of gravity than one from the acetabulum. The humerus and femur are protracted to a greater extent than in other ectotherms and their horizontal arcs of retraction are less. Rotation of these elements about their longitudinal axes contributes to the length of a stride and to foot placement and withdrawal. Differences in the movements of comparable segments of front and hind limbs correlate with differences in the width of the girdles, a crus longer than the antebrachium, and different capacities for joint rotation.

Notes: The developmental cycle of the teeth in Plethodon cinereus is analyzed on morphological grounds using alizarin preparations. All the stages in development do not occupy the same proportion of the life cycle time. Functional teeth and germs at an early stage in development occupy a large proportion of the life cycle time, whereas the processes of tooth shedding and ankylosis occur very quickly. The time during which any locus does not bear a functional tooth, and is therefore a non-functional locus, is reduced to a minimum. P. cinereus has a basic pattern of tooth replacement which is consistent with Zahnreihen which are 2.0 tooth spaces apart. Variations in the replacement pattern are common and these are produced by relatively small fluctuations in the spacing of the Zahnreihen around the „mean„ of 2.0. Localized disturbances which produce breaks in the replacement pattern and cause waves to cross also occur. These may be due to the failure of tooth germs to develop, the fusion of tooth germs, or may be the result of the inherent variability in a complex biological system. This variability causes individual tooth germs to develop too slowly or too quickly and hence assume an „abnormal“ position thus causing breaks in the replacement pattern. Tooth replacement may be controlled by an intra-local mechanism(s) rather than by stimuli which travel along the jaw.

Notes: The llama and guanaco stomach consisted of three compartments. A transverse pillar divided the large, first compartment into cranial and caudal sacs. Both sacs contained recessed glandular saccules. The saccules in the caudal sac were everted during the gastric contraction cycle. The non-recessed surfaces of this compartment were covered by stratified squamous epithelium.The first compartment communicated on the right with a smaller, reniform second compartment. Except on the lesser curvature, this compartment contained deep cells which were lined by a papillated glandular mucosa.The ventricular groove, defined by a single muscular lip, coursed along the cranial sac of the first compartment, over the lesser curvature of the second compartment, and terminated at the tubular passage to the third compartment.The initial four-fifths of the elongate third compartment contained mucigenous glands like those found in the saccules and cells of the first and second compartment Proper gastric glands and pyloric glands were confined to the terminal one-fifth of the third compartment.Attempts to homologize the compartments of the camelid stomach with those of the Pecora or so-called advanced ruminants were unsuccessful. The results of this study and concurrent physiologic investigations indicated that the processes of ruminant digestion can operate within wide anatomic boundaries, and that the camelid stomach with its extensive glandular mucosa is adapted for greater digestive efficiency than the advanced ruminant stomach.

Notes: The epidermal covering of the tail scales of the gekkonid lizard Lygodactylus bears three distinct types of specialization: sense organs, pilose pads whose function is either sensory or scansorial or both, and holocrine secretory organs (β-glands) which are only found in males. The same specializations are found on regenerated tails, and although the morphological form and patterning of the scales do not resemble the original, the structure, distribution and sexual specificity of the specialized units is perfectly restored. These structures, and similar units in other lacertilian genera have certain resemblances to mammalian and avian epidermal specializations. Perfection of replacement of integumentary specializations can be correlated with functional demands, although the developmental mechanism underlying the phenomenon is unknown.

Notes: Spermatozoa in the head of the epididymis of the flying squirrel have large cup-shaped acrosomal heads with two ventral ridges. The cytoplasmic droplet contains an ovoid body and a group of large granules. These structures may be related to the chromatoid body of spermatids. The spermatozoa form polarized cylindrical bodies with centrally placed tails and peripheral heads. The tips of acrosomes protrude into concavities of acrosomal cups of neighboring spermatozoa. Peripheral portions of acrosomes are in contact with microvilli (stereocilia) of epididymal cells. Polarized cylindrical bodies are present in five species of Sciuridae.

Notes: The hypothalamus of the opossum (Didelphis virginiana), the armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus mexicanus), and the cat (Felis domestica) was studied using Del Rio Hortega's silver carbonate technique, as modified by Scharenberg ('60). This technique demonstrates astrocytes, oligodendroglia, and neuronal perikarya, but does not impregnate microglia. The morphology of macroglia was observed in ten comparable nuclei in each of the three species. The subpial and subependymal areas were also examined.Astrocytes display more cell body angularity and have more processes in most hypothalamic regions of the cat when compared to similar regions of the opossum and armadillo.In the anterior hypothalamic nucleus, the ventromedial and the dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei, and the medial mammillary nucleus of all three species, astrocytes send processes to neurons, but neuronal and astrocytic perikarya are usually not directly contiguous. However, oligodendrocytes in a perisomatic position on neurons are a consistent feature in these nuclei.A closer relationship appears to exist between astrocytes and neurons in the neurosecretory nuclei. In the supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus of all three species a basket-like structure, designated a „pericellular envelope“ was observed surrounding neuronal perikarya. This structure is composed of astrocytic and oligodendroglial cell bodies and processes, and is most highly developed in the cat.A dense astrocytic plexus was observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the cat, and in the comparable nuclei of the armadillo and opossum. The most prominent macroglial cell type of the lateral hypothalamic and lateral mammillary nuclei of all three species is the interfascicular oligodendrocyte. The posterior hypothalamic nucleus of each species has many perisomatic oligodendrocytes, and in the armadillo and cat astrocytes are closely related to the larger neurons.A subpial plexus, consisting of a palisade of small glial cells with many processes, is present in the hypothalamus of the three species. Ependymal cells have long projecting processes throughout the length of the third ventricle in the armadillo hypothalamus, but such processes are only apparent in the region of the infundibular nucleus and median eminence in the opossum and cat.

Notes: The antenna of fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti has one peg organ of a basiconic type innervated by four neurons. The dendrites are ensheathed to near their terminations at the peg tip by an electron-dense dendritic sheath and by a cuticular sheath. They have easy communication by diffusion with the external environment only at the tip through a peripheral ensheathing membrane and six slit-channels. One of the dendrites resembles a tubular body proximally and may be mechanoreceptive. The peg generally appears to be a contact chemoreceptor. There are three antennal hairs of a typical sensillum trichodeum type innervated at the base by one neuron each. An intricate terminal mechanism at the insertion of the dendrite in the hair is described. These are believed to be tactile hairs. There are also three antennal hairs each innervated by two neurons. The dendrite from one terminates at the base similar to that of a tactile hair, and is believed to function in a similar mechanoreceptive manner. The dendrite from the second neuron extends naked along the length of the hair lumen. It is believed to be primarily chemoreceptive, in a slow-acting general sensory function. In all the sensilla there appear to be secretions produced in the junction body regions of the dendrites, and there is evidence for accumulation of secretory materials in the dendritic tips in some of the sensilla.

Notes: The ontogenetic sequence of cranial bony structure from initial ossifications through metamorphosis in Ambystoma texanum is described on the basis of 128 cleared and stained specimens. For convenience of discussion nine stages are recognized on the basis of conspicuous events. Cranial bones ossify and are modified in a definite sequence, and comparisons of complete sequences among groups of salamanders may prove useful in classification and in better understanding of relationships.

Notes: The distribution of glycogen, lipids and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) in twitch and tonus fibers of several amphibians and birds is described, and the correlation of histochemical properties with fiber structure and function is discussed. Twitch and tonus fibers were identified histologically by the presence of Fibrillenstruktur and Felderstruktur respectively. The rectus abdominis, sartorius and semitendinosus were studied in Rana pipiens, Xenopus laevis and Necturus maculosus; the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, anterior latissimus dorsi and posterior latissimus dorsi were investigated in Gallus gallus and Passer domesticus. Periodic acid-Schiff was used to stain for glycogen, Sudan Black B for lipids and Nitro BT for localization of SDH activity.In amphibian muscles, fibers with Fibrillenstruktur and Felderstruktur constitute the rectus abdominis. Except in one case, only Fibrillenstruktur fibers were seen in the sartorius and semitendinosus. In the avian muscles, fibers with Fibrillenstruktur comprise the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor and posterior latissimus dorsi, while fibers with Felderstruktur constitute the anterior latissimus dorsi. These types of muscle fibers showed no consistent pattern in the distribution of glycogen, lipids and SDH. The evidence precludes the use of such data alone for distinguishing twitch (Fibrillenstruktur) and tonus (Felderstruktur) fibers.

Notes: The fine structure of the excretory tubes of the mesostigmatid mite Macrocheles muscaedomesticae were investigated. These paired tubes are partially ensheathed by fat body and invested throughout by a branching system of visceral muscles. The fine structure of the cells of the excretory tube is in general similar with only minor differences found throughout its length. The basal region of each epithelial cell of the excretory tube borders the hemocoel and is divided into many compartments by the extensive infolding of the plasma membrane. Mitochondria and vacuolar inclusions are often closely associated with these compartments. More than one morphological type of mitochondria was found distributed throughout the cells of the excretory tubes. The most commonly encountered type had well developed cristae and an electron dense matrix. Less commonly, mitochondria with somewhat poorly developed cristae and a translucent matrix often containing myelin-like figures of varying complexity were observed. It is suggested that they represent part of a normal process of mitochondrial degeneration. The apical region of the cell has a border composed of plate-like folds of the plasma membrane termed microlamellae. The lumen contains abundant granules of the excretory product.

Notes: The fine structure of the developing gizzard of the chick embryo has been studied to define the sequence of events in cytodifferentiation of the epithelium and to look for morphological evidence of epithelio-mesenchymal interaction. During the fourth day of incubation epithelial cells begin to form mucous secretory granules, later massive glycogen deposits appear, and finally by day 8 numerous cell processes have formed. Tissue was prepared by a number of methods to stain material associated with cell surfaces. At the time induction is presumbably occurring such stainable material is abundant. Epithelial and mesenchymal tissue components when cultured transfilter show no inductive effects and stainable cell surface material is greatly reduced near the epithelium.

Notes: An approximate 1:1 ratio of myelinated to unmyelinated fibers was established in counts from electron micrograph montages in nerves of the newt, Triturus (Notophthalmus) viridescens. The number of myelinated fibers correspond to the number counted with the light microscope after osmium fixation. Light microscope counts of silver impregnated sections yielded a value slightly higher suggesting that, except for bundles of unmyelinated fibers, the silver technique revealed mainly myelinated fibers. The results were used to reassess previous quantitative studies on the relation between number of nerve fibers and the control which nerves exert on regeneration. For a truer estimate of the number of axons affecting regeneration, fiber values previously reported should now be doubled to include the large number of unmyelinated fibers. However, calculations show that the unmyelinated fibers contribute less than 3% of the total neuroplasm in the peripheral nerve.Finally, counts made of Schwann cells and fibroblasts show that the latter are few in number.

Notes: A histological study was undertaken of the differentiation of the lymphomyeloid complex of larvae of the common leopard frog, Rana pipiens, reared at 18-21 °C. Immature lymphocytes are first recognised in the thymus and pronephros at stage I of Taylor and Kollros ('46). By the end of stage II, small lymphocytes are regularly found among the predominant larger lymphoid cells in the thymus, in which corticomedullary differentiation has begun. At this time, a few small lymphocytes are also apparent in the ventral cavity bodies, lymph gland, pronephros, mesonephros and intestine, but rarely occur in the spleen. During stages III and IV extensive development of these components of the lymphomyeloid complex occurs. The organs now contain large numbers of mature lymphocytes and have attained states of differentiation that remain essentially similar in subsequent larval stages. By stage V, small epithelium-associated lymphoid accumulations are abundant throughout the length of the gastrointestinal tract. The anlagen of the procoracoid body and bone marrow appear just prior to metamorphosis.The kidneys are the main sites of blood formation in the larva. Masses of granulocytes are also usually found in the abundant ventral cavity bodies. A consideration of the roles of each of the organs provides insight into the ontogeny of the immune system of the Anura in general.

Notes: The sexual apparatus was studied in 100 adult axolotls (Siredon mexicanum) for 13 different spawnings. The ages of the animals varied between two and six years. Additional material from Indiana University was also studied. Altogether there were 55 female and 52 male adult axolotls represented. The purpose of the study was to investigate the limits of the variations occurring in normal axolotls and to compare the incidences of variations and developmental abnormalities in adult animals of both sexes at various ages and belonging to different strains.Among the 13 spawnings examined, five strains were completely normal in 100% of the animals, but the remaining eight strains all included abnormal animals. The incidence of abnormal animals in some of these latter strains was 40% or even 50%. Since all of the animals were under the same conditions, the variability and the occurrence of developmental abnormalities most likely depended upon hereditary factors. Among 55 females, only seven (12.7%) were abnormal; only four of these had developmental abnormalities, and only one was hermaphrodite. Among 45 males from the author's axolotl colony, 16 (28%) were abnormal. Of these latter, six had no sex cells or very few; this variation must be regarded as a developmental abnormality. All of these malformations resulted from major degeneration processes and abnormal morphogenesis.Arrested development was also observed in many males. Spermatozoa were completely absent from the testes of eight animals. In the additional material from Indiana University (testes from 7 males), there was also one completely abnormal testis with major degeneration processes and complete absence of sex cells. It is evident that variability and the incidence of developmental abnormalities in the sexual apparatus in adult axolotls of some strains are very great.

Notes: The sensillum of the ear of Feltia subgothica contains two ciliated receptor cells, the A cells. The cilium of each is enclosed within a well developed scolops consisting of a cap, a set of scolopalial rods and a collar, an unusual structure contained within the dendrite. The tip of the cilium is inserted in a channel in the scolopalial cap.The cap is linked to the tympanic membrane by a series of three structures: a cap cell, a microtubular shaft and a microfibrillar plug. The two latter structures are heavily reinforced by cytoskeletal elements and the microfibrillar plug is actually continuous with the tympanic membrane. These three structures transmit the vibration of the tympanic membrane to the scolops.The simplicity and accessibility of the ear suggests that it might be a good system in which to investigate cellular events associated with transduction of sound in these receptors.

Notes: The segmental anatomy of Harmothoë imbricata deviates from the plan of a typical errant polychaete only slightly. The body is partitioned into 37 nonmetameric segments and is covered by 15 pairs of elytra. The segmental musculature consists of paired dorsal and ventral longitudinal muscles, pairs of dorso-ventral muscles, and in places the external surface of the worm is covered by a sheet of circularly coursing muscle fibers subjacent to the cuticle. The dorsal tubercles, elytrophores, cirratophores and ventral cirri are moved by muscles derived from segmental and intrinsic parapodial muscles. From the anatomy it is surmised that the lateral bending of the worm during swimming is due to cycles of activity involving the longitudinal muscles (S-waves). During a cycle of parapodial stepping, parapodial levators and promotors raise a parapodium from the substrate and direct it forward (the recovery stroke), at which time the muscles of the aciculum and setal sacs withdraw the neuropodial setae. During the power stroke parapodial depressors and remotors bring the tip of the parapodium against the substrate, applying a forward thrust and the neuropodial setae are extended. At the conclusion of the power stroke, the recovery stroke begins anew.

Notes: Subcapsular cells lining the thymic stroma vary from low to high forms, while others have a hemocytoblastoid aspect. The purpose of the present study was to establish whether the transformation of the low forms into hemocytoblastoid subcapsular cells can be induced by an antigen. Rats given 10 Lf of diphtheria toxoid intramediastinally were killed at periods ranging from 3 to 24 hours later. Other rats were injected with 3H-thymidine at various intervals after the toxoid injection, and were killed one hour later. The observations revealed a rapid hemocytoblastoid transformation of subcapsular cells following administration of the toxoid. The transformation is detectable as early as three hours after the injection and can be completed after nine hours. Radioautography revealed that DNA duplication is initiated rapidly in the transforming subcapsular cells, since it can be completed 9 to 12 hours after the toxoid injection. Other observations suggested the transformation of reactive perithymic fibroblasts into subcapsular cells as well as the transformation of hemocytoblastoid fibroblasts and subcapsular cells into free hemocytoblastoid cells.

Notes: Non-innervated macrotrichia and microtrichia, thick-walled chemoreceptors and three kinds of thin-walled chemoreceptors are present on the antennal flagellum of Frenesia missa. One of the thin-walled receptors, the plate organ, is of a type not previously recorded for any insect. About four times as many plate organs are present on the flagellum of the male as on that of the female. They occur also on the maxillary and labial palps.

Notes: The present ultrastructural study of the hepatopancreas of Oniscus ascellus would seem to indicate that the entire gland functions as a true midgut and is involved in absorption and secretion. Two differentiated cell types, the S and B, are present throughout the gland except for a small area of the posterior or regenerative zone.Ultrastructural features that have been associated with absorption include the presence of a surface enteric coat, regularity of microvillar core filaments, an organelle free region under the microvilli and the uniform distribution of mitochondria below this area. These features are present in both the S and B cell types. Features that are typical of secretory cells include the presence of extensive arrays of parallel rough endoplasmic reticulum, the very active dictyosomes with dilated cisternae and large secretory bodies. These features are present in the B cell. Although occasional arrays of parallel endoplasmic reticulum were noted in the S cell, active dictyosomes with dilated cisternae were not evident.From this ultrastructural study it would appear that the B cell functions in absorption and secretion, while the S cell functions primarily in absorption. A cytochemical study is now in progress.

Notes: Electron microscope examination of the myofibrillar material in the avian latissimus dorsi anterior (tonic) and posterior (phasic) muscles revealed that the characteristic felderstruktur arrangement of the tonic muscle fibers develops during growth. Fibers of embryonic and young latissimus dorsi anterior muscles up to 87 days after hatching exhibited a fibrillenstruktur arrangement. Unlike the phasic muscle fibers in which the myofibril mass splits into discrete and regularly shaped myofibrils, the myofibrils in the tonic muscle become felderstruktur in appearance because of incomplete splitting of the myofibrils. The incomplete splitting of the myofibrils and the less extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum in the tonic muscle were related to its slower rate of tension development. The isometric contractile tension of the muscles was measured and it was found to increase considerably during growth. The tension increase was directly related to the increase in the fiber size, and the myofibril content. The rate of contraction of both the latissimus dorsi anterior and posterior muscles was found to increase very rapidly just prior to hatching. After hatching, the rate of contraction of the anterior muscle decreases differentiating into a tonic muscle at one month. The latissimus dorsi posterior muscle remains fast throughout development.

Notes: The stolon of the colonial marine hydroid Podocoryne carnea differentiates sequentially as a function of age, forming four distinguishable regions characterized by epidermal cell differentiation: The Tip, New Stolon, Cnidogenic Masses, Old Stolon. Radioautographs of sections of colonies exposed to tritiated thymidine show that although cells of the epidermis and gastrodermis of the stolon incorporate the nucleoside into acid stable polynucleotide, cells of the stolon tips do not. Stolon extension is not, therefore, the result of a localized meristem-like growth zone.Stolon branching and new polyp formation are, similarly, not signaled by increased thymidine incorporation. The initial event heralding these morphogenetic activities appears to be the reorientation of epidermal cells along a new axis, and the acquisition of perisarc dissolving ability. This evidence is contraindicative of direct dependence of colony form on colony growth.The larger part of stolon epidermal cells are organized into cnidogenic masses where cnidocytes and possibly other amoebocytic cells are produced.Although no mitotic figures have been observed in gastroderm cells of the stolon, thymidine incorporation in this tissue occurs with the same frequency as it does in epidermis. Considerable numbers of gastroderm cells can be found in the gastric cavity. Frequently these and gastroderm cells in the stolon and polyps contain more than one nucleus.

Notes: The fine structure of the epidermis and cuticle has been described for the oligochaete Aeolosoma bengalense. The epidermis is a pseudostratified epithelium and consists of the following cell types: ciliated and nonciliated supportive cells, pigment cells and associated satellite cells, mucous cells, basal cells, and ciliated non-supportive columnar cells. Overlying and restricted to the supportive cells is a delicate cuticle composed of: (a) a discontinuous layer of membrane-bounded surface particles; (b) a thin filamentous layer of moderate electron density just under the surface particles; (c) a thicker inner filamentous layer of low electron density. Digestion with pronase effectively removes the cuticle. This, together with the fact that it stains with alcian blue and ruthenium red, indicates that the cuticle contains an acid mucopolysaccharide. Regeneration of the cuticle, following pronase treatment, is marked by the elaboration of numerous microvilli by the supportive cells. Most of the microvilli are transitory and evidence supports a microvillar origin for the cuticular surface particles. The presence of cuticular surface particles may be a characteristic shared in common by all oligochaetes and, perhaps, some polychaetes.

Notes: A histochemical study of the mucus-secreting cells in the epithelial lining of the alimentary tract of the ampullariid snail Marisa cornuarietis permits description of six types of glandular cells secreting carbohydrate-rich substances. These mucous cells are designated on morphological grounds as fusiform, club-shaped, ovate, goblet, saccular and elongated conical and their histology together with their distribution and relative frequency in the different organs is described.Histochemical analysis using various fixatives and numerous recently-developed histochemical techniques shows that four main types of mucosubstances are produced by the six cell types. (1) The fusiform and club-shaped cells secrete neutral mucosubstances with moderate-to-weak PAS reactivity and variable amounts of basic protein. (2) The ovate cells secrete a strongly PAS-reactive, neutral mucosubstance lacking associated basic protein. (3) The goblet and saccular cells elaborate predominantly PAS-unreactive, strongly acidic, and highly sulfated mucosubstances or sulfomucins. (4) The elongated-conical cells secrete a highly PAS-reactive, weakly acidic sulfomucin whose vic-hydroxyls are presumably located in close proximity to sulfate esters.

Notes: The fine structure of the antenna and of the antennal sensory cone, the largest of the eight antennal sensilla, of fourth instar larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti are described and discussed. The antennal integument supports and encloses only sensillar elements. The antennal sensory cone seems to be a chemoreceptor of a modified composite basiconic type. It is innervated by about 12 neurons grouped into six units. Each neuronal unit has a trichogen and tormogen cell, but no neurilemma or other accessory cells, associated with it. Stimulating molecules may diffuse directly through the non-perforate conical cuticular covering to the dendritic branches, and through six vacuoles between the dendrites and the epicuticle at the base of the cone. Peripheral vesicles in the cone, their probable formation from secretions produced in the junction body region, and their possible function in the stimulating mechanism of the sense organ are described and discussed. Dendritic neurotubules originate from ciliary tubules in the junction body region, in the dendritic plasma, or by branching. Tight junctions provide possible electrotonic coupling between all the dendritic branches of the sensillum, and between dendrites in each unit. The neuronal perikaryons and portions of the axons and proximal dendrites are not ensheathed, but extend naked in close proximity through the antennal hemo-sinus into an ensheathed nerve at the base of the antenna.

Notes: Two trionychid turtles, Trionyx ferox and Lissemys punctata, have similar and distinctive nasal cavities. Most of the parts of the nasal cavities are similar to those in other turtles, but the intermediate regions have many more small ridges and shallow sulci than do those of other turtles; these form a highly complex and distinctive pattern that varies in minor details. In turtles generally, a relatively large intermediate region appears to be correlated with strongly aquatic habits, which supports the interpretation that the vomeronasal epithelium of that region functions in olfaction in an aquatic environment.

Notes: The salivary gland of Periplaneta americana (L.) is innervated from both the stomatogastric nervous system (SNS) and subesophageal ganglion (SEG). Methylene-blue preparations, histological sections and electron microscopy revealed a pair of nerves from the SEG, each of which contains two axons 5-7 μ in diameter, and these are accompanied by several smaller ones. The nerves going to the salivary glands from the SNS contain a dozen or more axons, each less than 2 μ thick. Axons from two sources innervate the efferent salivary ducts, the acini, the anterior ends of the salivary reservoirs, and the reservoir suspensory muscles. A nerve which has reached an acinus forms a plexus upon its surface. Electron micrographs disclose penetration of axons with or without glial wrappings, into the intercellular spaces between gland cells. Axons without glial wrappings have been observed in intimate contact with gland-cell membranes, and several areas which resemble synaptic junctions have been seen.

Notes: The morphology of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor cells has been studied in the common newt Triturus viridescens dorsalis by light, conventional transmission and scanning electron microscopy.The pigment epithelium is formed by a single layer of low rectangular cells, separated by a multilayered membrane (Bruch's membrane) from the vessels of the choriocapillaris. The scleral border of the pigment epithelium is highly infolded and each epithelial cell contains smooth endoplasmic reticulum, myeloid bodies, mitochondria, lysosomes, phagosomes and an oval nucleus. Inner, pigment laden, epithelial processes surround the photoreceptor outer and inner segments.The three retinal photoreceptor types, rods, single cones and double cones, differ in both external and internal appearance. The newt, rod, outer segments appear denser than the cones in both light and electron micrographs, due to a greater number of rod lamellae per unit distance of outer segment and to the presence of electron dense intralamellar bands. The rod outer segments possess deep incisures in the lamellae while the cone lamellae lack incisures. Both rod and cone outer segments are supported by a peripheral array of dendritic processes containing longitudinal filaments which originate in the inner segment. The inner segment mitochondria, forming the rod ellipsoid, arelong and narrow while those in the cone are spherical to oval in shape. The inner segments of all three receptor cell types also contain a glycogen-filled paraboloid and a myoid region, just outside the nucleus, rich in both rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The elongate, cylindrical nuclei differ in density. The rod nuclei are denser than those of the cones, contain clumped chromatin and usually extend further vitreally. Similarly, the cytoplasm of the rod synaptic terminal is denser than its cone counterpart and contains synaptic vesicles almost twice as large as those of the cones. Photoreceptor synapses in rods and cones are established by both superficial and invaginated contacts with bipolar or horizontal cells.

Notes: The pineal organ of the bluefin tuna was studied using light and electron microscopy. The pineal, an evagination in the diencephalic pallium, consists of a distal expanded end-organ and a stalk. A pineal nerve connects this end-organ to the habenular area of the diencephalon. The tissues above the pineal are modified for light transmission. Supporting cells are the most numerous type seen in the pineal tissue. The cytoplasm often contains glycogen, while the golgi apparatus is seldom seen. The plasma membrane is a complex of folded membranes interdigitating with adjacent cells. The sensory cells are characterized by a basal nucleus, a constricted neck region, and an ellipsoid region that is capped distally by lamellae. Sensory cells have the basic appearance of retinal photoreceptors. The lamellae are more disorganized than those of retinal rods, and some lamellae appear to be discharged from the cell.This study indicates that the pineal may function to deliver photoperiodic stimuli to the central nervous system, through the transmission of nerve impulses.

Notes: The endodermal nerve nets of the scyphozoan jellyfish Phacellophora camtschatica and Cyanea capillata were stained with methylene blue. Small animals (3-7.5 cm in diameter) stained easily. The endodermal nerve net of both species is a synaptic net consisting of bipolar and some few tripolar nerve cells with unbranched neurites. The neurites terminate on other neurites. Very few free nerve endings were observed. The neurites have a diameter of 1/4-1/2 μ and there is no indication of the presence of neurites too fine to be followed in the light microscope.The gross appearance of the net changes with the size of the medusa. Staining 15-53 cm diameter animals showed that the nerve cells increase in size with the size of the animals, that the density of the nerve net decreases.The endodermal nerve net is very similar to our interpretation of the Diffuse Nerve Net of the ectoderm but without the typical primary sense cells. In both cases the appearance of branching neurites is interpreted as an artifact caused by neurites terminating on other neurites.

Notes: Adult newts placed in an atmospheric environment of 85% oxygen, saturated humidity, and at a temperature of 20 ± 1°C survived particularly well a 44-day test period. They did not succumb to “oxygen toxicity” as has been frequently reported for other vertebrate species.Having established the newt's tolerance of high oxygen atmosphere, the effect of oxygen on growth and development in the regenerating newt limb was investigated. Under the atmospheric conditions described above, and under 92% oxygen, the regeneration of adult newt limbs appeared to be retarded during the first 25 days after amputation when compared with regenerating limbs of control animals kept under a normal atmosphere of 21% oxygen (air). Thereafter, little or no difference could be discerned between the regeneration of experimental and control limbs.It is known that molecular oxygen participates directly in the hydroxylation of proline to hydroxyproline in the synthesis of collagen. Sectioned regenerates stained specifically for collagen were examined to determine if collagen synthesis was induced in experimental animals. Two regeneration-inhibited limbs of oxygenated newts showed cicatrical repair of the apical limb stump 25 days after amputation. However, the majority of the experimental animals revealed no obvious increase in collagen fibers.These results contraindicate any marked “oxygen toxicity” affecting the life of the newts, or regeneration of their limbs. It is suggested that a change in collagen fiber type might have been induced by the high-oxygen atmosphere. Investigations to test this hypothesis are currently underway.

Notes: The morphology of the Weberian ossicles of Astyanax mexicanus, an eyed river fish, and A. jordani, the Mexican blind cave fish, was investigated and the results were correlated with behavioral data on the auditory capacities of the two species. Several characteristics of the ossicles of the two species were inter-specifically significantly different while other characteristics varied as much intra-specifically as inter-specifically. The ascending arm of the scaphium was shorter in the blind fish than in the river fish and the ascending arm of the intercalarium was further from the distal end of the base of the bones in the blind fish than in the river fish.A previously unreported ligament between the scaphium and the sinus atrium impar was found in Astyanax. It was hypothesized that this connective tissue retained perilymphatic fluid within the inner ear, helped the ossicles return to an anterior position after moving posteriorly, and might protect the inner ear during intense acoustical stimulation.

Notes: Changes with age in bone cortex of the rat were investigated by establishing histological parameters which could be quantitated to estimate age at death. Decalcified cross sections of mandible, femur and tibia were prepared from rats two to 120 days old, and measurements were made of: (1) number of osteons, (2) average number of lamellae per osteon, (3) average Haversian canal diameter, and (4) number of non-Haversian (primary) canals. Multiple regression techniques were used to estimate age at death from several combinations of these variables.With age, the number of osteons per unit area of bone and the number of lamellae per osteon increased, but Haversian canal diameter and the number of primary canals decreased. Multiple regression analyses indicated that age at death could be estimated to ± 3 days of the true value in 95% of the cases. Nomographs based on histological measurements of each bone were prepared which can provide accurate estimates of age between two and 120 days in the Sprague-Dawley female rat. It was concluded that microstructure of bone cortex can not only be quantitated to provide accurate estimates of age but it may also constitute a sensitive measure of the metabolic state of the organism. The techniques utilized should prove useful in anthropology as well in studies of bone aging.

Notes: Two specimens of a group of five foetuses, 35-37 mm in total length, of Squalus acanthias were serially sectioned and stained. These specimens were studied for the purpose of testing statements made in the literature, especially by Holmgren ('40), regarding cell sources and skeletal development. Many of Holmgren's results were confirmed with some important differences in detail. Limited blastemas of dermal bones were not evident although a diffuse subepidermal blastema was present in certain areas. There is evidence of delamination addition to the jaws and many parts of the endocranium. Although the trabecula is in part of visceral origin, the visceral material does not represent an infrapharyngohyal since it always has been an integral part of the endocranium, never a formed element of the arch. The same applies to the pharyngo region of the hyoid arch. The pharyngohyal tissue forms the area of articulation of the hyomandibula and the lamina hypotica. Thus a typical lateral commissure is not formed and the resulting otic capsule-basicranial association is unique to the elasmobranchs. The hyomandibula is the epihyal and there is no evidence of a symplectic in this group. The jaws appear to incorporate delamination tissue, associated in teleostomes with dermal bone, in addition to the neural crest proper.

Notes: In Bombyx mori the male is the homogametic sex, crossing over occurs only in males, and chiasmata are observed in spermatocytes, but not in oocyte nuclei. If the assembly of synaptonemal complexes is an essential prerequisite for genetic crossing over and chiasmata formation, then the nuclei of Bombyx spermatocytes should contain synaptonemal complexes. Synaptonemal complexes were found in spermatocytes from young four instar larvae. The structure of meiotic bivalents is described using micrographs taken with 100 and 1000 KV electron microscopes. These data together with that from the literature are used to construct a three-dimensional model of the synaptonemal complex and to suggest its method of origin and its function during crossing over.

Notes: Queen butterflies do not mate until the male has brushed the tufts of his scented, abdominal “hairpencils„ over the female's head and antennae. The trichogen cells located at the base of each hairpencil are secretory. Presumably, these cells produce the sex pheromone necessary for mating. The liquid secretion must move from a central, microvillus-lined vesicle through the cuticle of the hairs to coat numerous, free, cuticular „dust“ particles which adhere to the hairs' surface. The dust carries the secretion to or near the female's antennae. In the pupal stage the dust particles develop as outpocketings of the hair epicuticle. An amorphous matrix, probably protein epicuticle, is deposited in the outpocketings between the cuticulin layer and plasma membrane of the hair. Before the butterfly emerges from the pupa the matrix becomes enclosed by cuticulin, and the particles pinch off from the hair.

Notes: Light microscopy of serially sectioned nasopalatine duct remnants in ventral rostral integument of four adult (2 ♂, 2 ♀) fin whales reveals: (1) a common structure in all, (2) blindly ending nasopalatine pits 4 to 9 mm deep, (3) solid epithelial duct remnants 12 to 15 mm long, (4) lack of chemoreceptor endings, and (5) an abundance of presumed mechanoreceptors, mostly of the Pacinian category on the adoral sides, but also including some thinly encapsulated and perivascular ones that extend into the abundant connective tissue papillae of the duct remnants. Comparative and evolutionary relations of these structures are discussed.

Notes: A morphohistological study was carried out on the pineal organ in 15 species of teleosts belonging to 12 different families. In spite of a general similarity in pineal structure in different species, there is evident a systematic diversity. The majority of species possess saccular pineal organs containing photoreceptors as prominent parenchymal components. The close anatomical relationship of the pineal organs with the relatively thin cranial roof further supports the photosensory nature of this organ in most species. However, in certain species, particularly Corydoras aneus, apparent paucity of sensory cell outer segments, parenchymal proliferation, epithelial compactness and rich vascularization suggest specializations for a predominantly nonsensory and possibly secretory function. On the other hand, the preponderance of sensory cells in the pineal organ of Symphysodon aequifasciatus and Gyrinocheilus aymoneri indicates exceptional adaptitions for a predominantly photosensory role. The results are discussed in the light of existing electron microscopic and biochemical investigations which support a secretory function of fish pineal. The need for proper selection of species for future research on pineal function is emphasized.There is also evident a close anatomical relationship between the pineal organ, the dorsal sac and the third ventricle in various species. The possibility of intramural functional relationship of the pineal with these structures and the brain is suggested.The presence of intrapineal neurones and an afferent (pinealofugal) innervation in majority of species is described. The tractus pinealis enters the posterior commissure area. In rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, some branches, right and left, leave the posterior commissure and could be seen to move toward the habenular ganglia. Their destination remains unclear. In jack smelt, Atherinopsis californiensis, a major bundle of tract fibres follows the ventral aspect of the posterior commissure reaching what may be nuclei dorsomedialis-dorsolateralis. The possibility of direct connections with the fasciculus retroflexus is suggested. No evidence could be provided supporting existence of an efferent (pinealopetal) innervation of parenchymal cells in the pineal of species studied. It is pointed out that clarification of this aspect in future is important for a proper understanding of metabolic aspects of pineal organs in fishes.

Notes: The structure, attachment and subsequent metamorphosis of larvae of the marine bryozoan Bugula neritina were studied by light and electron microscopy.Two points of larval anatomy are of special significance to proper interpretation of the metamorphosis: 1Two cytologically similar blastemal tissues, each laden with free ribosomes, occur as parts of the apical organ complex. The upper blastema directly contacts the larval surface, forming the non-ciliated rows of the apical organ. The lower blastema is internal and is oral to and contiguous with the upper blastema.2The epidermal tissues of the larva are joined in the following sequence, beginning at the aboral pole: a. apical organ complex; b. apical-connecting cell; c. infolded pallial sinus epithelium; d. vesicular-connecting cell; e. aboral vesicular epithelium; f. corona; g. oral vesicular epithelium; and i., j., and k. internal sac neck, wall and roof regions.The initial stages of metamorphosis involve a complex sequence of morphogenetic movements, including: 1eversion of the internal sac, permanently attaching the larva to the substrate;2inrolling of the aboral vesicular epithelium, corona, oral vesicular and ciliated epithelia, and neck region of the internal sac into the larval interior; concomitantly the pallial sinus epithelium evaginates;3loss of connection between the invaginated tissues and the surface;4fusion of the pallial sinus epithelium with the wall region of the internal sac, maintaining the integrity of the body surface;5retraction of the apical organ complex and invagination of the pallial sinus epithelium with the simultaneous elevation of the internal sac wall region to the aboral pole.At the conclusion of these events the preancestrular surface is covered by the wall and roof regions of the internal sac. Cells of the wall region form the epidermis of the body wall except for the attachment disc and secrete a cuticular exoskeleton that is secondarily calcified; the attachment disc is formed by the roof region of the internal sac.Internally, the ectodermal upper blastema differentiates into the lophophore and digestive tract of the ancestrular polypide, while the lower blastema forms the lining of the lophophoral coelom and the splanchnic (but not the somatic) lining of the visceral coelom. The visceral somatic peritoneum is formed from cells that may originate from the mesodermally derived pigmented cells of the larva to which they are similar in pigmentation and cytology. Such a composite derivation of a coelomic lining has not been described previously.

Notes: Smears of Orconectes virilis hemolymph were prepared by fixation in 10% formalin immediately upon withdrawal, and after an interval of 1, 5, or 15 minutes. These smears were then stained by a variety of histochemical means designed to identify a material which is released from both hyaline and granular cells during the coagulation process. Based upon reactions to various carbohydrate, lipid and protein tests, this material appears to consist of a glycoor muco-protein, and its localization and activity coincide with the „fibrin ferment“ described by Hardy (1892). Its release is probably initiated from the hyaline cells, followed shortly thereafter by a similar activity of the granulocytes. While it cannot be ascertained by the methods used in this study whether or not this material participates actively in clotting, its release is nevertheless coincidental with coagulation.

Notes: The ectethmoid-mandibular articulation in Melithreptus and Manorina (Meliphagidae: Aves) consists of the dorsal mandibular process fitting into and abutting against the ventral ectethmoid fossa; it forms a brace for the mandible. This articulation in Melithreptus is a typical diarthrosis with long folded capsular walls. The mandible, thus, has two separate articulations, each with a different axis of rotation. No other genus of Meliphagidae (except Ptiloprora) or any other avian family possesses a similar feature.The jaw and tongue musculature of Melithreptus are described. The two muscles opening the jaws are well developed, while those closing the jaws are small. The tongue muscles show no special developments.A large maxillary gland, presumably muscus secreting, covers the ventral surface of the jaw muscles. Its duct opens into the oral cavity just behind the tip of the upper jaw. The frilled tip of the tongue rests against the duct opening.The ectethmoid-mandibular articulation braces the adducted mandible against dorsoposteriorly directed forces. The mandible can be held closed without a compression force exerted by the mandible on the quadrate, permitting the bird to raise its upper jaw with greater ease and less loss of force. The tongue can be protruded through the slight gap between the jaws, moving against the duct opening and thus be coated with mucus. Presumably, these birds capture insects with their sticky tongue. Hence, the ectethmoid-mandibular articulation is an adaptation for this feeding method; it evolved independently in three genera of the Meliphagidae.The ectethmoid-mandibular articulation demonstrates that a bone can have two articulations with different axes of rotation, that the two articular halves can separate widely, and that articular cartilages can be flat and remain in contact over a large area. Its function suggests that the basitemporal articulation of the mandible found in many other birds has a similar function. And it demonstrates that in the evolution of the mammalian dentary-squamosal articulation, the new hinge did not have to lie on the same rotational axis as the existing quadrate-articular hinge.

Notes: Observations on fine structure at the basal end of the intestinal epithelium in the midgut region of Balanus balanoides and Balanus improvisus reveal complex interrelationships among several tissues. Numerous elongate cell processes extend towards the intestinal epithelium penetrating between layers of intestinal muscle through blood spaces and into the basal lamina underlying the epithelium.Two types of morphological relationships occur between cell processes and the basal end of the intestinal epithelial cell: 1. The cell process may penetrate the basal lamina and lie closely apposed to the epithelium. 2. The cell process may give rise to narrow, medially-directed, finger-like extensions (projections). The narrow projections penetrate the basal lamina and, in addition, terminate as dilated bulbs within inpocketings of the epithelium. In some respects the cell processes are suggestive of neural tissue.

Notes: The male reproductive system of Artemia was studied by routine histological and histochemical techniques to demonstrate the general histology and distribution of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and alkaline and acid phosphatases.The System Consists Of Paired Testes, Vasa Deferentia, Accessory Glands, And Penes. The Testes Contain Germ Cells And Supporting Cells Throughout Their Entire Length. The Former Cells Are Located In Clusters And Undergo A Spermatogenic Maturation Which Is Similar To That Described For OtherAnimals. The Supporting Cells Seem Implicated In The Nourishment Of The Germ Cells. The Vas Deferens, Which Consists Of Secretory Epithelium Surrounded By Circular And Longitudinal Muscles, Secretes The Seminal Fluid, Containing A Neutral Mucopolysaccharide Or Mucoprotein, And Stores The Mature Sperm. The Accessory Gland Consists Of Approximately 20 Pairs Of Gland Cells, Each Pair Drained By A Neck Cell And Duct Cell Into The Collecting Duct. The Glandular Secretion, Mainly A Neutral Mucopolysaccharide Or Mucoprotein, Might Function As A Lubricant, A Copulatory Plug, Or An “Activator Substance” For The Sperm Or For Fertilization. Each Penis Consists Of A Non-Eversible Part And An Eversible Part Which Is A Tortuous Muscular Tube That Connects The Vas Deferens To The Outside.

Notes: The gross anatomy and histology of the gonads and accessory sex organs are described for male and female Presbytis e. entellus. The langur differs from other catarrhine monkeys in certain specialised characters. The “sexual skin” is not comparable to the true sexual skin of the Cercopithecinae which exhibits cyclical change during the various phases of reproduction; it is nevertheless fully developed in the adult male and serves as one of the secondary sexual characters.Certain aspects of the reproductive system strikingly resemble those of man. The combined testicular weight (0.07% body weight) is similar to the human (0.08%), and the male has ampullary glands. The cervical canal is straight like that of a baboon or man. The corpus luteum (except in the lactating female) is a hollow glandular structure. Extensive hemorrhage which always accompanies ovulation in the langur, does not appear to be a common phenomenon in any other catarrhine for which ovulation and the development of corpus luteum have been studied. The hemorrhagic remains are retained for a long time in the ovulated follicle.The ovary is characteristically large and averages 0.74 gm without corpus luteum and 1.57 gm with corpus luteum, a feature never reported in any other catarrhine monkeys. The pre-ovulatory follicle may attain a size of 14 × 14 mm.

Notes: The frontal wall of Schizoporella unicornis (Johnston) develops as a partition of the coelom just before ascus formation. The ascus develops proximally from the proximal border of the aperture. S. unicornis, therefore, belongs to the monothetic Order Cryptocystidea. The outer part of the opercular cuticle is lost during development.

Notes: The general morphology of the mucous gland cell and the nature of the secretory granule in esophageal glands of the newly hatched chick have been described. Lightly basophilic supporting cells, attached to secretory cells by desmosomes and containing tonofilaments, are located on the basal lamina. Electron microscopic studies showed a morphological polarity of the Golgi complex which suggests that mucous precursors are transported from other sites within the cell to the Golgi complex for further packaging into secretory granules. Finally, acid mucopolysaccharides (AMPS) were specifically stained using the Thorotrast technique and not detected in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, the transitional elements, or in the lamellae at the forming face of the Golgi complex. Conversely, AMPS are found in the vicinity of the mature face of the Golgi complex, and in the secretory granules. The acquisition of cytochemical reactivity for AMPS within the Golgi complex is discussed.

Notes: The presence of developmental stages of lymphocytes and their precurors, as revealed by serial and thin sections of hemopoietic organs of normal adult newts (Notopthalmus viridescens) suggests that lymphopoiesis is limited to the thymus, medulla of the spleen and, to a lesser degree, the intestine. Stromal cells, small lymphocytes, granulocytes, mature erythrocytes and melanocytes were observed either within or near the parenchyma of the thymus. The urodele thymus differs from the thymus of anurans and higher vertebrates in that it lacks a cortex and a medulla, myoid cells and Hassall's corpuscles.

Notes: Peyer's patches of conventional adult mice are studied with light and electron microscopy. Based on cellular types and distribution, each lymphoid follicle of Peyer's patch is divisible into four zones: the germinal center, the small lymphocytic, the interfollicular and the subepithelial zones. Three distinct cell types are present in the germinal center, i.e., dendritic reticular cells; tingible body macrophages; and lymphocytes which are classifiable into large, medium and small size. The medium size lymphocytes are the great majority in this zone. The small lymphocytic zones are characterized by a predominance of small lymphocytes with a few reticular cells. The subepithelial zone has a remarkable accumulation of macrophages and plasma cells. In the interfollicular zones there are predominantly small lymphocytes with considerable round macrophages and plasma cells, and this zone is permeated with several post-capillary venules. The distinctive characteristics of small capillaries of the patches are also described.

Notes: Summary Selected tarsal bristles of the tick Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acarina: Ixodidae; nymphal stage) were studied by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. All sensilla are multi-innervated and have thick cuticular walls containing either an elaborate pore canal system or a single slit opening at the tip. These sensilla, often equipped with two mechanoreceptive dendrites attached to the bristle base, apparently serve a dual function: mechano- and chemoreception. The fine structure of each sensillum is similar to that of other arthropod setae except for the ciliary region of the dendrite. Instead of the common 9 double-tubules, the tick sensilla usually have 11 (“11+0”). Compared to insect or spider tarsal bristles, tick setae are less abundant but more complex in structure and of greater variety.

Notes: Summary The weakly electric fish of the family Mormyridae have a three layered epidermis, with a medium layer consisting of hexagonal cells of only 0.22 μm in thickness and about 60 μm in diameter. The lens-shaped nuclei are about 2 μm thick and 7.6 μm in diameter and are situated near the border of the cells. The cells are piled up to hexagonal columns. Their margin is serrate and where it reaches the boundary of the column, it has a thickness of about 0.34 μm. Close to the boundaries of the columns, the cells are linked to their neighbours within the column and of the adjoining column by desmosomes. This layer of the epidermis is confined to those regions of the body surface which also contain electroreceptors. The other layers of the epidermis have a structure as usual in fish, except for the lack of goblet cells.

Notes: Summary Normal thyroid follicular epithelial cells in the rat show three functional phases: (1) synthesis of protein and secretion into the follicular lumen; (2) relative inactivity; (3) resorption of the colloid. The resorption of the colloid is stimulated by the thyrotropic hormone, whereas colloid protein synthesis appears to be independent of pituitary stimulus. Ultrastructural alterations, present in some cellular components during alimentary tocopherolubiquinone deficiency, reflect disturbances in the normal functional phases. The deficiency possibly influences the function of the thyroid gland in two ways: in affecting the metabolism of thyroid hormones which seems to depend on the antioxidant properties of tocopherols, and/or, in affecting the participation of the quinoid forms in the mitochondrial enzyme system. Substitution with either d,1-α-tocopherol or α-tocopherolquinone reverses the alterations and disturbances produced by the dietary deficiency.

Notes: Summary The ultrastructure of axonal and dendritic growth cones has been examined in the cerebellar cortex of 7 days old rats and 12 days old cats. The unique feature is a bulge of the perikaryon surface or a varicosity of the growing tip of nerve processes. These cone-like areas contain large amounts of tubular smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (SR) and large vacuoles. They are further characterized by filopodia (Tennyson, 1970) with a fibrillary matrix. Early cell contacts with synaptic membrane specializations are described between filopodia of mossy fiber endings and dendritic growth cones of granular cells. Synaptic vesicles appear early in synaptogenesis. While both vesicles and SR tubules are confined to separate areas of the axonal growth cone it was found that a common affinity to the ZIO staining agent exists. In contrast, the neurofilaments and microtubular components as well as the growth cone vacuoles remain consistently ZIO negative.

Notes: Summary Intraocular injection of colchicine in doses which do not affect the protein synthesis in the retina has profound effects on the axonal transport of protein in the retinal ganglion cells of the rabbit. Rapid axonal transport in these cells is completely inhibited after treatment with relatively low amounts of colchicine. In contrast to this, a certain fraction of the slow axonal transport is resistant to colchicine treatment. Colchicine in doses which completely inhibits fast axonal transport caused discrete morphological changes in the perikaryon and in the axon of the retinal ganglion cell. No disappearance of microtubules and no general proliferation of neurofilaments was observed in the perikaryon of the retinal ganglion cells. There was a slight or moderate increase in the number of filaments in the intra-retinal part of the axons of the retinal ganglion cells.

Notes: Summary The ultrastructure of the ocelli of Lithobius forficatus L. was investigated by means of conventional electron microscopy. The dioptric apparatus consists of an unequal biconvex corneal lens which has a lamella-like fine structure. Crystalline cones and special pigment cells are lacking. The eye cup is composed of 35 to 110 sense cells of two different morphological types. The large visual cells of the distal region are characterized by unilaterally inserted rhabdomeres which form in a radial symmetrical arrangement the extended closed rhabdome. The proximal part of the eye cup is occupied by somewhat smaller basal cells of conical shape, showing an indistinct retinula. These cells have numerous microvilli either in the apex region or laterally which interdigitate to form stiltlike double or “multiple” rhabdomeres in close communication to the central rhabdome. In both types of sense cells particular zones appear because of the characteristic distribution of certain cell elements. They are arranged perpendicularly to the optical axis in the large receptors and vertical in the main axis of the basal cells. Elements of ER and other vesicles constitute a “Schaltzone” which borders the microvilli of the rhabdomer. This Schaltzone probably is a functional structure correlated to the adaptional state of the eye. The cytoplasmatic zone contains numerous different multivesicular and few large multilamellar bodies. The functional meaning of the organization of the Lithobius ocellus is discussed.

Notes: Summary First the granulosa cells establish close contact with the plasma membrane of the oocyte. Then, the zona pellucida separates them. The oocyte acquires numerous microvillosities, and an intensely active micropinocytosis is observed in the ovocytic invaginations. Granules originating in the theca externa pass through the intercellular spaces of the granulosa and invade the zona pellucida and the invaginations of the oocyte. At the level of these invaginations, coated vesicles incorporate granules and form granular vesicles without coating. These granular vesicles are transformed into cortical vitelline spheres. The nutritive function, generally assigned to the pyriform cells, is not confirmed in this study. The great development of the Golgi apparatus in these cells suggests a secretory function. Perhaps the pyriform cells secrete the amorphous component of the periovocytic space.

Notes: Summary The ultrastructure of Limulus cardiac muscle was examined. The hearts were fixed in situ by perfusion with isotonic glutaraldehyde solution while in relaxed, contracted, or stretched states. The sarcomeres are relatively long, varying in length from about 2.5 to 6.6 μ. The average A-band length is 2.46 μ. M lines are absent, and H zones are poorly distinguished. Thick and thin filament diameters average about 200 Å and 50 Å, respectively; each thick filament is surrounded by 8–12 thin ones. Superficial invaginations of the sarcolemma occur, making contact with the Z lines of the outermost myofibrils. There is an extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum and transverse (T) tubules. Some T tubules run longitudinally and some open into deep sarcolemmal invaginations which extend into the fiber interior. The T tubules swell markedly in hypertonic solution. Single neurons and small bundles of neurons are observed in close apposition with myocardial cells. Intercalated disks are found in Limulus heart at regions of contact between contiguous myocardial cells lying end to end; semitight or gap junctions are essentially absent. Prominent differences in sarcomere lengths sometimes occur across the disk, thus indicating that the disks demarcate cells functionally. Hence, in addition to direct motoneuron activation, there may be some transfer of excitation across the intercalated disks in accord with our previous finding that propagating, overshooting action potentials can be induced in this heart.

Notes: Summary The purpose of this study has been to elucidate the structure of the rectal complex of the meal worm, in particular of the perinephric membrane and the leptophragmata. Most of Grimstone's (1968) findings have been confirmed, but in some respects a different interpretation is suggested. 1. The perinephric membrane is limited towards the hemocoele by a basement membrane secreted by a layer of elongated cells. Over the leptophragmata, these cells are lacking, whereas the basement membrane is enormously thickened, constituting the so-called blister. 2. The tracheole cells form a network in all of the perinephric membrane. 3. The perinephric membrane may be divided into an outer and an inner sheath. The main part of the outer sheath is an acellular matrix, probably a basement membrane secreted by the tracheole cells. This matrix is extremely thin over the leptophragmata. 4. The inner sheath is mostly made up of tracheole cells. In the inner part of this sheath, multiple extremely thin cell layers are observed; it is suggested that cells in these layers have nuclei located in the innermost layer of the sheath. The inner sheath is absent over the leptophragma. 5. The leptophragma is a thin plate-like protrusion from a modified tubule cell, the leptophragma cell. Together the cell body and the cytoplasmic rim of the leptophragma cell make up a short funnel communicating with the tubule lumen; the short funnel is filled with thin microvilli without mitochondria.

Notes: Summary The midgut cells of workers, queens and males of the ant Formica polyctena show cytological characteristics which were studied in the course of postembryonic development and annual cycle. The microvilli of the regenerating cells appear before the elimination of the regressing larval and pupal cells. At the time of pupation, an active phase of apocrine secretion begins in the dorsal part of the midgut epithelium, while the absorptive function is carried out by all cells of the organ. Two types of cytoplasmic inclusions coexist: polysaccharides and mineral concretions. The polysaccharides are particulary abundant in larvae and pupae. Glycogen is metabolized during histogenesis; acid mucopolysaccharides, elaborated in the Golgi apparatus, represent a mucous secretion. The spherites are composed of concentric strata of calcium phosphate and chloride and a matrix of mucopolysaccharides. These minerals form in the ergastoplasmic cisternae of pupal cells only. Their accumulation could be related to the insect's diet, or it could reflect a process of excretion.

Notes: Summary The dorsal organs of the cephalic lobes of the house fly larva, Musca domestica L. were studied by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Five types of receptors were found in the distal part of the dorsal organ: (1) The dome, whose ultrastructure is similar to that of thin-walled pegs, is assumed to be an olfactory receptor. (2) A lateral pore receptor, with the distal tips of two dendrites exposed to the exterior through a pore, is presumed to be a contact chemoreceptor. (3) A scolopidium-like receptor, with an ultrastructure characteristic of a scolopidium receptor except that the dendrite might be exposed to the exterior through an opening, is assumed to be both a mechanoreceptor and contact chemoreceptor. (4) Two receptors, each with one of its two dendrites exposed to the exterior, are probably contact chemoreceptors. (5) Two unclassified receptors, each with one dendritic tip exposed to the exterior and the other dendrite with a tubular body ending near the pore, may serve as both contact chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors. The last four types are located in the invagination between the dome and the cylindrical portion of the dorsal organ. The seven basal pores of the dome are apparently points of origin of the scolopales and have no sensory function. The dorsal organ is supplied by 35–41 bipolar neurons, indicating the possibility of additional undescribed receptors.

Notes: Summary In this study the ultrastructural features of tissue from the posterior hypothalamic area were investigated. Ovariectomized cats which were either treated with sesame oil placebo or with estrogen for varying periods of time were used. The following observations were noted. 1. The cat that was treated with placebo one month after ovariectomy showed an increase in the number of dense core (granulated) vesicles within neuronal cytoplasm. This observation was not apparent in the cats which were treated with estrogen one month after ovariectomy. 2. In the cat that had been Ovariectomized for two months before treatment with placebo was initiated, axon terminals contained more dense core vesicles than were observed in axonal endings from estrogen-treated cats in the two month ovariectomy group. 3. The tissue from cats that were continuously treated with estrogen for one month after ovariectomy displayed dense-core vesicles in both somata and neuropil. It is suggested that the ultrastructural changes observed were dependent on both the time of initiation and the length of estrogen treatment. 4. It is concluded that the preliminary observations in this study provide anatomical evidence suggesting that estrogen level in the cat may affect the functional activity of the posterior hypothalamic area.

Notes: Summary 1. The paired cerebral gland of Polyxenus lagurus is an endocrine organ. It lies directly lateral to the tritocerebral ganglia and is innervated by the nervus glandulae oerebralis. The organ is not ensheathed by connective tissue and extends freely into the hemocoele. It consists of two structurally different regions, viz. a basophilic part adjacent to the brain and a lateral acidophilic region. 2. The basophilic portion traversed by the nervus glandulae cerebralis is composed of gland cells with large, round nuclei, few and small mitochondria and numerous Golgi complexes. Small secretory granules are pinched off from Golgi cisternae and unite to form huge irregular vacuoles whose content is heterogenous and of low electron density. 3. The acidophilic region contains gland cells without processes and few glialike cells. Between these the terminal branches of the nervus glandulae cerebralis are found, and a system of lacunae which communicate with the surrounding hemolymph. The cell surfaces are often vesiculated near the lacunae. Microvilli of gland cells are not rarely extending into hemolymph spaces. The nuclei are lobated. Mitochondria are more numerous and larger than in the other region of the gland. Golgi complexes are both large and abundant; the maximal diameter of the secretory vacuoles formed by their cisternae is 1.7–1.8 μm. The content of the secretory vacuoles is granular and electron dense. In animals not close to molting it shows a regular pattern of light spots and frequently parallel stacks of lamellae. The bounding membrane of the larger vacuoles may appear fragmented in places. Large vacuoles of low density are relatively rare. 4. Changes in the axons of the nervus glandulae cerebralis are noticeable as early as 24 hours after experimental induction of molting. They are then filled with large presumably neurosecretory granules of 1200–1800 Å diameter which had been absent before. Pine structural changes are also recognizable in the acidophilic gland cells. Just before molt the cisternae of the granular endoplasmic reticulum bear regular, blisterlike expansions. Cisternae are no longer recognizable between the secretory vacuoles. Free ribosomes increase in number in these spaces. Golgi cisternae are shortened but show beaded expansions. The flaky content of the inner cisternae resembles that of the secretory vacuoles. The content of all secretory vacuoles is of uniformly high electron density and without light spots or parallel striations. 5. The results are discussed and compared with those of other studies of comparable organs in related animals.

Notes: Summary The fine structure of vascular channels and amebocytes associated with the sheath of the infraesophageal ganglion of Helix aspersa, is described. The extracellular stroma of the sheath, together with the hemocoel and blood vessels, forms an interconnected system of pathways which appears to be involved in the transport of metabolites, amebocytes, hemocyanin and experimentally introduced opaque tracers. The hemocoel, blood capillaries and precapillaries are lined by a discontinuous layer of single muscle cells whose luminal aspect is covered by a lamina of extracellular material named the vascular coat. This coat consists of a ground substance that forms a basement membrane and filamentous elements some of which are collagenous. Gaps in the blood vessel wall seem to provide the main routes for the movement of cells and large molecules to the hemocoel. Tracer experiments have given support to the idea that a diffusion barrier may be absent at the sheath-ganglion junction. Amebocytes have phagocytic properties; they appear associated in groups or scattered singly within the extracellular space of the sheath and the lumen of blood vessels. Single amebocytes have features of mobile cells and may function in the transport of hemocyanin as well as other proteins.

Notes: Summary The synganglion is bounded by an extracellular sheath and is divided into the cortex and the neuropile. The cortex contains two glial layers, each of which is composed of a distinctive type of glial cell, and three types of neurons. Type I is the least common and most electron dense, type II is most common, and type III represents neurosecretory cells with a larger volume of cytoplasm than in types I and II. Substantial areas of the neuron cell bodies are unsheathed. A third type of glial cell is found in the neuropile. The first glial layer of the cortex, the perineurium, lies beneath the extracellular sheath and overlies the neuron cell bodies contributing to their ensheathment. In areas lacking neuron cells bodies, the perineurium overlies a second glial layer, the subpermeurium, which is inflected inwards where a group of neuron cell bodies is encountered. The subperineurium contributes to the ensheathment of both the cell bodies of neurons and the nerve fibers. It is confluent with glial cells which arise within the neuropile. The neuropile contains nerve fibers and glial cells and is perforated by the esophageal canal, which is lined by the perineurium and subperineurium. Unsheathed nerve fibers contact each other in three ways: end-knob, longitudinal, and cross contacts.

Notes: Summary The retina of the worker honeybee is studied by means of electron and light-microscopy. The results are as follows: 1. Generally the single ommatidium is composed of the cornea facette, crystalline cone, 8 retinula cells and the principal, secondary and basal pigment cells. Ommatidia with more than 8 retinula cells occur very rarely. 2. The arrangement of the fourfold crystalline cones with quadrants differently stainable, is found to be constant within the eye-rows. 3. The orientation of the four-divided rhabdoms shows a variable rotation of approximately zero to 90° within the eye-rows. The morphology of the retina of the worker honeybee is discussed with regard to the orientation according to the pattern of polarization of light reflected from the blue sky.

Notes: Summary The ciliary epithelium of the olfactory folds in Calamoichthys calabaricus is composed of ciliary cells, supporting cells, and basal cells. All ciliary cells contain numerous mitochondria and bear up to 160 kinocilia. Some rootlets of the basal bodies of the kinocilia, project towards the nucleus, while others run parallel to the epithelial surface and connect with neighbouring basal bodies. Ciliary and olfactory epithelia are separated from each other. — The olfactory epithelium contains olfactory receptor cells, supporting cells, and basal cells. The club shaped olfactory receptor cells have a uniform ultrastructure. The terminal portions of the olfactory dendrites form small olfactory vesicles which are seen above the olfactory surface. 12 sensory cilia project constantly to the more basal portion of the olfactory vesicles, each cilium forming a 25–27° angle with the vertical cell axis. Basally, an axon originates from each olfactory receptor cell. Axons from a number of olfactory receptor cells may combine to form bundles within the epithelium. The supporting cells of the olfactory epithelia are strongly osmiophilic. Supporting cells occur in all parts of the olfactory epithelium and bear few cilia. Numerous mucous vesicles, located within the apical region of the supporting cells, probably have a secretory function.

Notes: Summary 1. There is a gradual proximo-distal increase in the thickness of the muscle coat of the human ductuli efferentes, duetus epididymidis and ductus deferens. Circularly arranged smooth muscle bundles predominate in the ductuli efferentes and ductus epididymidis of the caput section. Scanty strands of longitudinally and obliquely oriented smooth muscle bundles form an additional, incomplete outer muscle layer around the ductus epididymidis of the corpus. Small smooth muscle-like cells constitute the muscle elements of the upper sections of the excretory ducts (from the ductuli efferentes to the midcauda). At the transition of the corpus and cauda epididymidis ordinary large smooth muscle cells join the small contractile cells to form—in more distal sections of the cauda—a composed, thick subepithelial muscle coat. In most distal portions of the cauda, the two-layered muscle coat of the ductus epididymidis is transformed into a three-layered coat, a pattern of construction which is retained in the vas deferens. 2. Electron microscopically, three types of contractile cells are distinguished in the human ductuli efferentes and ductus epididymidis: a) contractile cells of medium transparency containing exclusively thin myofilaments (60 Å in diameter), b) dark contractile cells containing bundles of thin myofilaments (60 Å in diameter) and single coarse filaments (140 Å in diameter), c) light contractile cells with loosely dispersed, interweaving thin and thick myofilaments. Commutual diameter changes at regular intervals are seen in individual myofilaments, giving the impression of structural periodicity not unlike that of filaments of striated muscle. Ordinary smooth muscle cells of the cauda epididymidis and vas deferens are characterized by uniformly sized, closely packed but evenly distributed thin myofilaments with numerous dense patches. 3. Fluorescence microscopy performed on formaldehyde treated freeze dried tissues reveals that the contractile cells of the ductuli efferentes in man and monkey receive a low number of single adrenergic terminal fibres penetrating the depth of the muscle coat. The adrenergic innervation of the ductus epididymidis is restricted to small peritubular nerve fascicles running contiguous to the most superficially located bundles of smooth muscle-like cells. The adrenergic ground plexus is rather wide-meshed in the proximal cauda, becomes increasingly dense in more distal cauda sections and in initial, funicular portions of the vas deferens, and reaches maximum density in abdominal parts of the ductus. Perivascular and adventitial adrenergic plexuses are well developed at arteries of the caput and corpus epididymidis in man, monkey, rabbit, guinea-pig and rat. 4. Electron microscopically, noradrenergic nerves have been identified by the presence of small granular vesicles in preterminal varicose axon dilatations. Nerve fibre swellings filled with small empty spherical vesicles have been considered to belong to “cholinergic” neurons whereas occasional varicosities equipped with some large membrane bound granules and abundant mitochondria may represent local expansions of sensory axons. 5. Neuromuscular relationships in the upper sections of excretory ducts comprise adrenergic synapses by distance (more than 1000 Å), and a few intimate, ensheated close contacts, whereas the main type of contact of nerves to ordinary smooth muscle cells in the lower duct section is by means of close but not intimate approach (500–2000 Å). 6. Adrenergic synapses in the ductus epididymidis and ductus deferens of the monkey resemble—what concerns their morphology, relationship to effectors and distribution pattern—those of man. 7. In accordance with the total number of vascular and non-vascular adrenergic nerves, visualized by fluorescence microscopy, the amount of noradrenaline varied considerably in different sections of the human male internal genital organs: The lowest amounts were estimated in the testis (0.12±0.03 μg/g). Medium to high concentrations were detected in various sections of the caput and corpus epididymidis (ductuli efferentes 0.60±0.09 μg/g; ductuli efferentes and caput 0.72±0.13 μg/g; corpus epididymidis 1.04±0.25 μg/g; proximal cauda 0.95±0.17 μg/g; distal cauda 0.97±0.19 μg/g). The highest noradrenaline content was found in the human vas deferens (prox. vas deferens 1.11±0.21 μg/g; interm. vas deferens 1.20±0.42 μg/g; distal portion 1.43±0.39 μg/g). 8. For comparison, the noradrenaline content of the testis and epididymis of the rhesus monkey, the epididymis of the rabbit and the vas deferens of the rabbit, mouse, guinea-pig and rat has been determined. 9. Adrenaline of exogenous origin was detected in the vas deferens, cauda epididymidis and plexus pampiniformis of two cases who received this catecholamine as part of the local anaesthetic drug mixture. Due to methodological reasons, the presence of small amounts of adrenaline of endogenous source in adrenergic nerves of the human and monkey internal male genital organs cannot be excluded. 10. The differences in motility behaviour of the ductus epididymidis (spontaneous, rhythmic contractions) and ductus deferens (absence of any spontaneous movements under conditions at rest) in vivo and in vitro have been correlated with the occurrence of specialized contractile cells in the upper segment (ductuli efferentes, ductus epididymidis of the caput, corpus and initial cauda) and ordinary large smooth muscle cells in the lower segment (ductus epididymidis of the distal cauda and the vas deferens) and furthermore correlated with differences in the pattern of the adrenergic innervation; the concept is advanced that progressive cytological differentiation of smooth muscle cells and the development of a dense direct adrenergic innervation suppresses autocontractility and, that the reverse condition may favour spontaneous motility of smooth muscle elements.

Notes: Summary The fine structure of receptor and epithelial cells in the retina of the pacific hagfish, Polistotrema stouti, has been investigated and compared with previous observations made in the atlantic hagfish, Myxine glutinosa. The receptor cells in Polistotrema have cylindrical outer segments which consist of numerous discs arranged perpendicularly to the long axis of the cell. Characteristic synaptic bodies (synaptic lamellae) occur at the receptor base. Membranous inclusions in the epithelial cells suggest phagocytosis of outer segments. In Myxine, the outer segments are whorl-like, and synaptic bodies are absent at the receptor base. There are no signs of phagocytosis in the epithelial cells. The results are discussed from a functional and phylogenetical point of view.

Notes: Summary “Buffy coats” of normal human peripheral blood were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde (buffered with 0.1 M Na-cacodylate, pH 7.3) and incubated with a mixture of osmium tetroxide and zinc iodide (pH 5.2) after the method of Maillet (1959). Utilizing an electron probe microanalyser (Siemens), the authors demonstrated the presence of osmium and zinc in the specimen, whereas the presence of iodide could not be proved with certainty. The ratio of osmium and zinc in the precipitates ranges from 3/2 to 4/1. Electron microscopic studies of the leukocytes have lead to the following results: the Golgi apparatus, the perinuclear cleft and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of all types of leukocytes are strongly impregnated with osmium/zinc, whereas the matrices of the mitochondria are less impregnated. Osmium/zinc precipitates have also been detected in the lysosomes of monocytes and plasma cells. No reaction was evident in the leukocytic granules or centrioles. The presence of lipid droplets in eosinophils has been demonstrated. These droplets show a dense homogeneous osmium/zinc impregnation which reaches its maximum after 40 minutes of incubation, compared with much longer incubation times (5–6 hours) for other cellular components. Setting the pH of the osmium tetroxide-zinc iodide solution to 6.2 resulted in a dense impregnation of the “externum” of the eosinophilic granules. At this same pH, the perinuclear cleft, Golgi apparatus and mitochondrial matrix did not show a definite reaction. The extent of impregnation of the lipid droplets of the eosinophils showed no dependency on pH. Care must be taken when a stain containing uranyl acetate is used since this substance dissolves the Os/Zn precipitates. Exposure of the precipitates to the uranyl acetate for longer than 2 minutes results in gradual dissolution within complete dissolution in 10 minutes.

Notes: Summary In Drosophila melanogaster, different electron-dense substances injected into larval hemolymph are transported to the lumen of renal tubules by all four segments of the renal tubules. In the initial segment, responsible for primary urine formation, 3-hydroxykynurenine, gold chloride, colloidal silver, and hemoglobin are transported by “cytopempsis”: here all substances penetrate the basal membrane, are concentrated in large basal folds of the cell membrane, and are further transported by vesicles. During transcellular passage, the vesicle contents are concentrated enough to crystallize. Iron polysaccharide, however, is first taken up by the cytoplasm, where it is concentrated and transported to the tubule lumen by newly-formed endoplasmic reticulum. In the other segments, the above substances are similarly transported to the lumen of renal tubules, but in these cases larger complexes of accumulations are formed from basal infoldings of the cell membrane. These complexes are mostly surrounded by a secondary membrane and, probably due to water uptake, may enlarge enormously during passage to the tubule lumen. A secondary membrane is not formed in the case of hemoglobin or gold chloride. During transcellular passage, the osmolality of vesicle contents approaches that of the fluid within tubule lumen. In the lumen of the initial segment the primary urine is mainly crystalline; the concentration is lower in the lumen of other segments. Substances can be detected within the lumen of the main tubule segment as soon as 1 minute after injection.

Notes: Summary The cavity receptor organ (previously X-organ or organ of Bellonci) of Artemia salina consists of ciliated neurons whose cilia protrude into a cavity beneath the cuticle. The neuronal dendrites penetrate a giant accompanying cell and epidermal cells before entering the cavity. The cavity beneath the cuticle, the ciliated neurons and the connexion with the medulla terminalis justifies a homologization with the frontal filament organ of cirripeds and the third unit of copepods. The term cavity receptor is suggested for this organ. It is hardly homologous with the second unit of copepods and the organs described for many malacostracans under the names of sensory pore X-organ or organ of Bellonci. The latter organs are very similar to the cavity receptor but have an internal cavity formed by glial cells. The cavity receptor organ was previously considered neurosecretory but in the light of the present knowledge it is rather sensory although a double function cannot be denied.