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Obsrvations on the Fine structure of the Testicular Interstitial Cells in the Camel ( Camelus Dromedarious )
Author(s) -
Tingari M. D.,
Moniem K. A.,
Künzel E.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
quarterly journal of experimental physiology and cognate medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0033-5541
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.1979.sp002457
Subject(s) - endoplasmic reticulum , golgi apparatus , cytoplasm , lipid droplet , microfilament , biology , ultrastructure , microbiology and biotechnology , organelle , interstitial cell , glycogen , peroxisome , cell , anatomy , endocrinology , cytoskeleton , biochemistry , receptor
Testicular interstitial cells of the camel are polygonal in shape with abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) occurring as a network of tubules. Elements of a welldeveloped Golgi complex are seen in many parts of the cytoplasm. There is a moderate number of mitochondria with predominantly lamellar cristae and dense intramitochondrial granules. Lipid droplets vary in size and number from cell to cell. Lysosomal bodies are commonly encountered in the cytoplasm. Other cytoplasmic constituents include microfilaments, peroxisomes, a few pathches of rough endoplasmic reticulum and occasional glycogen particles. The functional significance of these observations is discussed in relation to comparative observations on other vertebrates as in relation to histochemical findings on camel testis. There is sufficient evidence to indicate that the interstitial cells in the camel testis resemble interstitial cells of other vertebrates. Letdig cells during the non‐breeding season possess abundant lipid droplets, large lysosomal bodies together with narrow cisternae of SER, i.e. features of inactivity. Maximal activity is seen during the rutting season and it is suggested that this activity correlates with the of seminiferous epithelium and accessory sex glands.