AN ULTRASTRUCTURAL-STUDY OF THE SERTOLI-CELL IN THE WATER-BUFFALO (BUBALUS-BUBALIS)

The ultrastructure of Sertoli cell in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubal is) was observed in a transmission electron microscope. The nucleus ha d homogeneous nucleoplasm, scarce heterochromatin and multivesicular n uclear body (MNB). The MNB was composed of numerous vesicles and ribos ome-like dense structures. The vesicles varied in size and number and contained a sparse and flocculent substance. In the indentation of the nucleus, aggregates of ribosomes were frequently observed. In the api cal and middle region of the cell, long mitochondria and microtubules were distributed parallel to the long axis of the cell. Non-laminated smooth ER and some ribosomes were also recognizable throughout this re gion. In the basal region, widely-distributed laminated smooth ER was characteristic. Microfilament bundles at ectoplasmic specialization we re irregularly arranged. Frequently-emerged nodular processes occasion ally separated from basal lamina and formed round structures within Se rtoli cytoplasm. Although these characteristics of buffalo Sertoli cel l were very similar to those of the bovine studied, the aggregate of r ibosomes was more developed in the buffalo.