Morphology of the vas deferens of the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).
A morphological study of the budgerigar vas deferens was conducted to demonstrate the electron-microscopic features of its epithelial lining. The analysis showed that the vas deferens of the budgerigar was found to be of a tubular and serpentine structure, continuous with the epididymal region and lined with stereo ciliated pseudostratified epithelium, which contained folds projecting into the tubular lumen and a characteristic brush border. The epithelium consists of ciliated and non-ciliated cells with different electron densities. Ciliated cells were characterized by two morphologically distinct configurations: some cells were columnar and other ciliated cells were longer, thinner and dark. Non-ciliated cells showed apical cytoplasmic expansions, which projected into the tubular lumen as protrusions.
Baldan
C
C
University Centre, São Paulo, Brazil.
Orsi
A M
AM
Viotto
M J S
MJ
Baraldi-Artoni
S M
SM
Stefanini
M A
MA
D000818:Animals; D002923:Cilia / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010311:Parrots / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000166:cytology*