title: Ultrastructure of the atrioventricular junctional area in the heart of Molossus molossus Pallas 1766 (Chiroptera: Molossidae).
abstract: The atrioventricular junctional area (AVJA) consists of a group of structures that connects the atrial and ventricular myocardium. Five hearts of an insect-eating bat were studied in light and transmission electron microscopy. In M. molossus, the AVJA consists in a mass of muscle fibers intermingled with variable amount of connective tissue and blood vessels surrounded by the adjacent myocardium and the attachment of the right atrioventricular and aortic valves in the fibrous skeleton. In light microscopy, conducting cells of the AV node and bundle can be distinguished from working cells: smaller size, paler staining reaction and the presence of e sheath of connective tissue surrounding each cell (largely composition by type I collagen fibers). Three cell types are observed in the AVJA. Nodal cells are irregular with few cytoplasmic organelles and several slender sarcolemmal modifications. Myofibrils are sparse and not clearly observable. Transitional cells are spindle-shaped and grouped together into bundles. The cytoplasm, poor in glycogen, has scarce electron-density and myofibrils organized into sarcomeres. Caveolae is observed randomly distributed at the periphery of the cell. The AV bundle cells are elongated with clusters of myofibrils organized in the periphery and a glycogen free area around the nucleus. Ventricular cells are bigger than the atrial ones and show well-developed myofibrils in alternated rows with mitochondria. Lipid droplets are seen near mitochondria and glycogen granules. Intercalated discs and T-tubules are found in working cells but not in conducting ones. The fibrous skeleton has collagen fibers intercalated with fibroblasts.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Morphometry and Cardiovascular Morphology, Department of Histology and Embryology, State University of Rio de Janeiro.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Apfel
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mandarim-de-Lacerda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002685:Chiroptera