The golgi complex in the esophageal mucous glands of the newly hatched chick

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.