Identification and characterization of telocytes in the uterus of the oviduct in the Chinese soft‐shelled turtle,Pelodiscus sinensis: TEM evidence |
| |
Authors: | Linli Zhang Qian Zhang Yi Liu Wei Chen Yasir Waqas Yuan Le Bing Chen Qiusheng Chen |
| |
Affiliation: | Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, , Nanjing, China |
| |
Abstract: | Telocytes (Tcs) are cells with telopodes (Tps), which are very long cellular extensions with alternating thin segments (podomers) and dilated bead‐like thick regions known as podoms. Tcs are a distinct category of interstitial cells and have been identified in many mammalian organs including heart, lung and kidney. The present study investigates the existence, ultrastructure, distribution and contacts of Tcs with surrounding cells in the uterus (shell gland) of the oviduct of the Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis. Samples from the uterine segment of the oviduct were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Tcs were mainly located in the lamina propria beneath the simple columnar epithelium of the uterus and were situated close to nerve endings, capillaries, collagen fibres and secretory glands. The complete morphology of Tcs and Tps was clearly observed and our data confirmed the existence of Tcs in the uterus of the Chinese soft‐shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis. Our results suggest these cells contribute to the function of the secretory glands and contraction of the uterus. |
| |
Keywords: | telocytes uterus Chinese soft‐shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) ultrastructure |
|
|