Crystalloids in the excretory ducts of the accessory submandibular gland of the long-winged bat, Miniopterus magnator.
Cytoplasmic crystalloids are abundant in the excretory ducts of the accessory submandibular gland of the long-winged bat, Miniopterus magnator. The crystalloids, which always lack a membranous enclosure, may have an intricate silhouette. They consist of parallel linear densities with a 12.5 nm periodicity. These densities actually may be thin-walled tubules. In some crystalloids, intersecting subcrystalloids produce a complex pattern of decussate densities. In a few rare instances, continuities were detected between a crystalloid and a smooth-surfaced cisternal element. In other mammalian species, similar crystalloids connected to smooth endoplasmic reticulum play a role in steroid metabolism. We postulate that the ductular crystalloids in M. magnator might be involved in production of a factor that influences mating behavior.
Tandler
B
B
Department of Oral Anatomy II, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Nagato
T
T
Phillips
C J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003460:Crystallization; D018871:Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000648:ultrastructure*