Aspects of the functional morphology of the ductus epididymidis in domestic anseriform and galliform birds

The structure of the ductus epididymidis, and its capacity to take up lumin al particulate material (India ink) were studied, using scanning and transm ission electron microscopy, in the domestic fowl, turkey and Japanese quail (Order Galliformes) and drake (Order Anseriformes). The epithelium appeare d contractile and stable structurally, especially in the drake in which, am ong other cytoskeletal features, abundant perinuclear intermediate filament s radiated peripherally in the principal, nonciliated (Type III) cell. The Golgi complex was well developed, except in the turkey in which it was extr emely inconspicuous. Sparsely granulated profiles were the main component o f the elaborate endoplasmic reticulum, which was best developed in the drak e and least in the turkey. The cell in the turkey was uniquely laden with l arge aggregates of lipid droplets. Generally, characteristics of a cell act ive in the synthesis and merocrine secretion of proteinaceous material were evident. There was no evidence of apocrine-like secretion in well-fixed ti ssues. The cell lacked the capacity to take up luminal India ink particles, and displayed very poorly developed endocytic structural features, which a re also probably only selectively and minimally absorptive. Ultrastructural features varied between and within the orders studied, necessitating furth er studies.