Morphological and histochemical observations on the vitelline cells of developing and adult Paramphistomum cervi (Trematoda: Digenea)

In 6 week-old Paramphistomum cervi, vitelline cells appear in the form of a few scattered cells, present below the body wall which divide mitotically to form vitelline follicles in 8 week-old worms. Small shell globules appear first in 10 week-old worms, the number and size of which continue to increase till the worm becomes adult. In the latter the vitelline follicles contain stem cells, immature, maturing and mature vitelline cells, which differ due to the distribution of shell globules as well as their histochemical nature. The shell globules are keratin in nature. The vitelline cells showed activities of various phosphatases but did not show the presence of any of the dehydrogenases studied.     

Cytochemistry of yolk elements in the Amphioxus egg

Summary The Amphioxus egg develops compound yolk and lipid yolk, besides the cortical vacuoles described previously. The compound yolk elements consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, lipoproteins, and triglycerides originate within the ooplasmic masses that are constituted by the yolk nucleus substance and mitochondria. The lipid yolk elements, which are poorly developed, stain for phospholipids; the exact mode of their formation could not be determined. The behaviour and cytochemistry of organelles (yolk nucleus and mitochondria) have also been described.     

Distribution of oxidases in the testis of buffalo, goat and ram: an histochemical study

Peroxidase, monoamine oxidase (MAO) and cytochrome oxidase (CCO) have been histochemically localized in the testis of buffalo, goat and ram. The results in these three species were more or less similar. Peroxidase was localized only in the interstitial tissue and could be used as a marker enzyme for this testicular compartment. MAO and CCO were present in both the interstitial tissue and the seminiferous tubules. The detailed patterns of MAO and CCO distribution were also similar and showed cyclic changes in the spermatids which have not been reported before. The results have been compared and contrasted with those of previous workers and their possible physiological significance discussed.     

Comparative dimensional characteristics of spermatozoa in muridae

A comparative study has been made of the dimensional characteristics in six species of Muridae (Malardia meltada, Bandicota bengalensis, Albino rat, Rattus norvegicus, Mus booduga, Rattus rattus). Characteristic differences were found in the dimensions of their spermatozoa. Head dimensions viz., acrosome length, width, area and post-acrosomal area, vary significantly between different species but the differences are significant within individuals of the same species. Flagellum dimensions viz., mid-piece length, breadth, area and main-piece length also vary significantly between different species; within individuals of the same species the differences are not significant except for mid-piece breadth, which varies significantly both between and within the species. The ratio of flagellum to head varies significantly between species but the difference is not significant within individuals of the same species. The significance of the variabilities is discussed.