Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Vol s3-99, 295-314, Copyright © 1958 by Company of Biologists

Some Cytological Features of Epididymal Cells in the Rat

¹ Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Sydney

Living material was photographed by phase-contrast miocroscopy. Fixed material was stained for mitochondria or post-osmicated.

The findings show a close conformity between the pictures in living and fixed cells, except that the so-called Golgi apparatus, whilst very apparent in some zones by both techniques, in other zones is well represented after osmication but not in the living cell. Reasons for this are proposed.

Studies by earlier workers on the mitochondrial pattern are confirmed. There is an increased density and decreased length of rods down the length of the epididymalduct. The relationship of the chondriome to the osmiophil material varies in the different zones; in some, close association with permeation is found, while in others the separation is complete.

General observations upon living epididymal cells are recorded. These include the effects of different suspending media and the changes undergone by the cells after their isolation. A close study has been made of the free (stereociliated) border of the cells.