SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC AND CYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSES OF ALVEOLAR AND PERITONEAL-MACROPHAGES OF MICE, DOGS AND CATS

Alveolar and peritoneal macrophages (MPs) of mouse, dog and cat were c ompared in relation to their scanning electron microscopic features an d the lysosomal activities of nonspecific esterase, acid phosphatase, and beta-glucuronidase. The long spindle shape of peritoneal MPs diffe red from the spherical form of alveolar MPs in all species. There was no difference in the morphological findings among the three animals. M urine alveolar and peritoneal MPs were strongly positive for all three enzymes. Canine and feline alveolar and peritoneal MPs were strongly positive for acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase, but weakly posit ive for nonspecific esterase. These results strongly suggest that acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase can be used as markers of the MPs in healthy dogs and cats.