ULTRASTRUCTURAL-STUDY OF THE CONJUNCTIVAL EPITHELIUM IN THE MONGOLIANGERBIL (MERIONES-UNGUICULATUS)

The conjunctival epithelium of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguicul atus) was studied using the transmission and scanning electron microsc opy. The superficial cells of the conjunctival epithelium were isopris matic in shape and were covered, on their luminal surface, with microp licae, They were connected with the adjacent cells by junctional compl exes and desmosomes, Some of the superficial cells were partially or c ompletely detached from the underlying intermediate cells: this morpho logical pattern was interpreted as an expression of cellular renewal o f the conjunctival surface, Goblet cells were either isolated or gathe red in clusters: in any case: they were firmly connected with the adja cent epithelial cells. The apical part of the goblet cells was covered with a great number of long microvilli: they showed a variety of morp hological aspects, which were interpreted as occurring in a sequential pattern during the secretory process, The Mongolian gerbil can be con sidered among the laboratory animals used for ophthalmic research.