Summary
Giant epithelial cells are a conspicuous feature of the anterior segment of the vas deferens of Porcellio. Smaller epithelial cells (prismatic cells) are distributed between the giant cells. The giant cells may possibly form by hypertrophy of prismatic cells.
Large nuclei with clumped heterochromatin are the most conspicuous feature of giant cells. Numerous large dictyosomes are distributed in the cytoplasm. These dictyosomes are comprised of closely packed, agranular cisternae and numerous vesicles. Anastomosing cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum fill the entire cytoplasmic region. These cisternae are often considerably dilated.
The giant cells probably secrete a mucoprotein which binds sperm in the lumen of the vas into spermatophores. The probable mechanism of formation and extrusion of the secretory product is discussed for these cells, which apparently do not form secretory droplets. The presence of a prominent brush border on these supposedly secretory cells suggests the possibility that secretion may be transported in molecular form across the increased surface provided by the microvilli.
Prismatic cells are recognizable by their less dilated endoplasmic reticulum, smaller nuclei with fewer heterochromatin clumps, and less conspicuous dictyosomes. In addition, dense granules are often found in association with the dictyosomes of these cells.
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We acknowledge with thanks the kind interest of Drs. Richard Wood, Douglas Kelly, John Luft and N. B. Everett who critically read the manuscript. Part of the work reported here was performed while one of us (JN) was receiving financial support from a predoctoral traineeship [USPHS Grant 2G-253 (R 1)], and was originally submitted to the Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The remainder of the work was performed during tenure by the same author of a postdoctoral traineeship in the Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, under USPHS Grant 5 T 1 GM-136.
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Newstead, J.D., Dornfeld, E.J. Epithelial structure in the anterior segment of the vas deferens of an isopod, Porcellio Scaber (Latreille). Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 68, 795–817 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343932
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343932