• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.403-407
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• 2000

Ultrastructure and function of testis somatic cells in freshwater prawns Macrobrachium nipponense were studied. The paired testes of the prawn were elongated, united at their anterior end, which lay between the dorsal surface of the hepatopancreas and the heart. Each testis consisted of a large number of seminiferous cords compactly held together by connective tissue. A seminiferous cord was composed of an outer layer of simple squamous epithelium, a basement membrane, the closely packed germ cells and sustentacular cells of the germinal ridge, and an inner layer of simple cuboidal epithelial cells. Leydig cell-like cells in an angular areas filling the space of the seminiferous cords were observed. The nuclei of leydig cell-like cells were characterized by a distinct nucleolus. The simple squamous epithelial layer was composed of flattened cells tying on a basement membrane. The nuclei of the flattened cells were often overlapped in a layer, and the cytoplasm of the cells was observed just near the nuclei. The sustentacular cells were complex in morphology. These cells had relatively small cell bodies from which long cytoplasmic extensions ramified reached the space of germ cells in the germinal ridge. The nuclei of sustentacular cells usually exhibited angular profiles and located most commonly at the periphery of the cords. Cells of simple cuboidal epithelium located between germinal ridge and lumen of seminiferous cord, and part of the cells were adjacent to basal lamina, The cuboidal epithelial cells contained numerous mitochondria, the well-developed rER, the well-developed Golgi complex, and irregularly shaped nuclei. Transition vesicles appeared on the cis side of the Golgi complex. The large vesicles on the trans side of the complex appeared to fuse to form a membrane-bound structure. A number of pits on the cell apex suggested exocytotic activity for secretion of the sperm supporting matrix.