Biomaterial Database

Fine structure of the sperm storage tubules in the box turtle oviduct. 1993

D H Gist, and E N Fischer

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, OH 25221.

The sperm storage tubules of the box turtle (Terrapene carolina) were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Tubules containing spermatozoa were surrounded by 6-8 secretory cells, each of which contains numerous membrane-bound vesicles presumably containing precursors to egg white proteins. The apical membranes of these cells contain microvilli, and the apical lateral membranes possess prominent junctional complexes. Cells comprising the spermatozoa-containing tubules cannot be differentiated from those devoid of spermatozoa. Various quantities of spermatozoa reside free in the lumina of the secretory tubules, and are not in contact with host cells. Only the presence of ducts communicating with the oviduct lumen serve to differentiate the spermatozoa-containing tubules.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D010057	Oviducts	Ducts that serve exclusively for the passage of eggs from the ovaries to the exterior of the body. In non-mammals, they are termed oviducts. In mammals, they are highly specialized and known as FALLOPIAN TUBES.	Oviduct
D004848	Epithelium	The layers of EPITHELIAL CELLS which cover the inner and outer surfaces of the cutaneous, mucus, and serous tissues and glands of the body.	Mesothelium,Epithelial Tissue,Mesothelial Tissue,Epithelial Tissues,Mesothelial Tissues,Tissue, Epithelial,Tissue, Mesothelial,Tissues, Epithelial,Tissues, Mesothelial
D005260	Female		Females
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014426	Turtles	Any reptile including tortoises, fresh water, and marine species of the order Testudines with a body encased in a bony or cartilaginous shell consisting of a top (carapace) and a bottom (plastron) derived from the ribs.	Sea Turtles,Terrapins,Tortoises,Sea Turtle,Terrapin,Tortoise,Turtle,Turtle, Sea,Turtles, Sea