Beard M, Millecchia L, Masuoka C, Arch S
Tissue Cell. 1982;14(2):297-308. doi: 10.1016/0040-8166(82)90028-3.
Extracts of the atrial gland of the sea hare Aplysia californica (Mollusca) induce egg laying when injected into mature individuals. Since egg laying is controlled endogenously by a peptide secreted by neuroendocrine cells in the central nervous system, the relationship between the atrial gland and these central neurons has become an issue of interest. With the particular objective of examining secretory structures we undertook an ultrastructural study of the atrial gland and adjacent tissues. This study revealed that the atrial gland epithelium in composed of two major cell types: 'goblet-like' exocrine cells containing large electron-dense granules, and ciliated 'capping cells'. A non-secretory, and possibly post-secretory, cell containing electron-lucent granules was noted. A region of the large hermaphroditic duct contiguous ot the atrial gland, known as the red hemiduct, also displayed capping cells and secretory cells with large granules. The content of these granules is organized into crista-like condensations. The cell also contains iron-rich pigment inclusions.
将海兔（软体动物）的心房腺提取物注入成熟个体时会诱导产卵。由于产卵是由中枢神经系统中神经内分泌细胞分泌的一种肽内源性控制的，因此心房腺与这些中枢神经元之间的关系已成为一个有趣的问题。出于检查分泌结构的特定目的，我们对心房腺和相邻组织进行了超微结构研究。这项研究表明，心房腺上皮由两种主要细胞类型组成：含有大量电子致密颗粒的“杯状”外分泌细胞和有纤毛的“覆盖细胞”。还发现了一种含有电子透明颗粒的非分泌性且可能是分泌后阶段的细胞。与心房腺相邻的大两性管区域，称为红色半管，也显示出覆盖细胞和含有大颗粒的分泌细胞。这些颗粒的内容物组织成嵴状凝聚物。细胞中还含有富含铁的色素内含物。
