CRYSTALLOIDS IN THE EXCRETORY DUCTS OF THE ACCESSORY SUBMANDIBULAR-GLAND OF THE LONG-WINGED BAT, MINIOPTERUS MAGNATOR

Cytoplasmic crystalloids are abundant in the excretory ducts of the ac cessory submandibular gland of the long-winged bat, Miniopterus magnat or. The crystalloids, which always lack a membranous enclosure, may ha ve an intricate silhouette. They consist of parallel linear densities with. a 12.5 nm periodicity. These densities actually may be thin-wall ed tubules. In some crystalloids, intersecting subcrystalloids produce a complex pattern of decussate densities. In a few rare instances, co ntinuities were detected between a crystalloid and a smooth-surfaced c isternal element. In other mammalian species, similar crystalloids con nected to smooth endoplasmic reticulum play a role in steroid metaboli sm. We postulate that the ductular crystalloids in M. magnator might b e involved in production of a factor that influences mating behavior. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.