This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by BIDWAI, P. P. Articles by BAWA, S. R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by BIDWAI, P. P. Articles by BAWA, S. R.

HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE SEMINAL VESICLE SECRETION OF THE INDIAN HEDGEHOG WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE CRYSTALLOID BODIES

Summary.: During the breeding season, the seminal vesicles of the Indian hedgehog secrete an amorphous material and crystalloid bodies. The latter are absent in the non-rutting period. The amorphous secretion of the rutting, as well as of the non-rutting, seminal vesicles show identical histochemical reactions in containing mucoproteins, mucopolysaccharides and appreciable amounts of alkaline phosphatase. The crystalloid bodies are complexes of glycolipids and mucoproteins and, unlike the amorphous secretion, they show an intense acid phosphatase activity. Although progressive development of the crystalloid material in the apical cells of the seminal vesicle epithelium has not been seen, there is similarity of these cells to the crystalloid bodies located in the lumen. The secretion of these crystalloids seems to be dependent upon the hormonal status of the animal. While they are present in the seminal vesicles of hedgehogs treated with male goat pituitary extracts in the non-breeding season, they cannot be demonstrated in the seminal vesicles of a control group.