[Ultrastructural aspects of cells with 3 beta-HSDH (delta-5-betahydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) activity in female ducks. I. Female Peking duck (Anas platyrhynchos)].

The cells making up the thick internal theca of the follicle of the Peking duck and which contain an active 3 beta HSDH enzyme have a developed smooth reticulum, tubular crested mitochondria, a considerable load in slightly osmiophilic lipid inclusions; all of these characteristics are those of steroid cells. Various physiological states of these cells juxtapose themselves in different proportions according to the season.