Burdzy K, Tung P S, Fritz I B
Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
J Electron Microsc Tech. 1991 Oct;19(2):189-202. doi: 10.1002/jemt.1060190206.
Newly developed techniques in high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and for tissue-processing procedures have been applied to an investigation of structures of various cells in rat testes at different stages of gonadal maturation. A series of high-resolution SEM micrographs are presented which survey the surfaces of different types of testis cells during normal development, and which also illustrate ultrastructural features of some of their intracellular organelles. In addition, a series of high-resolution SEM micrographs are presented which compare the structural features of Sertoli cells in normal testes with those in germ-cell-depleted testes obtained from rats killed at varying times after having been irradiated in utero. We describe our observations on the structural properties of surfaces and intracellular organelles in Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, peritubular myoid cells, and some classes of germinal cells. We also consider the possible role of Sertoli cell apical cytoplasmic processes in lumen formation. Similarities are pointed out between the structure of germ-cell-depleted testes, resulting from irradiation in utero, and the structure of germ-cell-depleted testes in seasonal breeders during periods of involution. Finally, we discuss advantages and disadvantages of methods employed to reveal the fine structure of intracellular organelles in cells of the testis.
高分辨率扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和组织处理程序方面新开发的技术已应用于对性腺成熟不同阶段大鼠睾丸中各种细胞结构的研究。展示了一系列高分辨率SEM显微照片，这些照片观察了正常发育过程中不同类型睾丸细胞的表面，同时也展示了它们一些细胞内细胞器的超微结构特征。此外，还展示了一系列高分辨率SEM显微照片，比较了正常睾丸中支持细胞的结构特征与从子宫内受照射后在不同时间处死的大鼠获得的生精细胞缺失睾丸中支持细胞的结构特征。我们描述了对支持细胞、间质细胞、睾丸肌样细胞和一些生精细胞类型的表面及细胞内细胞器结构特性的观察结果。我们还考虑了支持细胞顶端细胞质突起在管腔形成中的可能作用。指出了子宫内照射导致的生精细胞缺失睾丸的结构与季节性繁殖动物退化期生精细胞缺失睾丸的结构之间的相似性。最后，我们讨论了用于揭示睾丸细胞内细胞器精细结构的方法的优缺点。
