Summary
The sensory cells of the vomero-nasal organ in reptiles and mammals do not develop cilia. In several species they contain centrioles together with cilium-structure precursor bodies measuring 400–700 Å in diameter. These structures resemble axonemal precursor bodies which are known to occur in developing ciliated cells. They are enclosed in a fibrogranular matrix. The precursor bodies are resistant to pepsin digestion in Araldite sections. In Tupaia precursor bodies may join periodically in a row. In the vomero-nasal receptor cells the precursor bodies can be considered stabilized with a corresponding reduction of cilia. The periodically arranged precursor bodies could represent a special storage form.
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Kolnberger, I., Altner, H. Ciliary-structure precursor bodies as stable constituents in the sensory cells of the vomero-nasal organ of reptiles and mammals. Z. Zellforsch. 118, 254–262 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341569
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341569