Analysis of formed bodies in urine removed from the crayfish antennal gland by micropuncture.

Numerous investigators have remarked upon the secretory appearance of the labyrinth and coelomosac of the crayfish antennal gland (e.g. Marchal, 1892; Peters, 1935; Maluf, 1939). It is readily observed in stained sections that vesicles are formed at the lumenad borders of the labyrinth cells. Furthermore, the cells of the coelomosac appear to be filled with vacuoles containing granular material. Parat & Feyel (1930) and Maluf (1941) observed the release of these vacuoles from the coelomosac cells. Kummel (1964) has made studies of the coelomosac using the electron microscope. In addition to noting the vacuoles seen by other investigators, he found that the regions of the bases of the cells exhibited considerable pinocytotic activity. The urine samples obtained by micropuncture from parts of the antennal gland other than the labyrinth often appeared to have objects in them. These objects were first noticed by their diffraction of light. However, they could just be seen when the sample was properly illuminated and viewed at 40 x . It was therefore decided to investigate the microscopic appearance of urine removed from all parts of the antennal gland. From this investigation it was ascertained that formed bodies are present in the urine from all parts of that organ, except the bladder. The investigation was continued to include chemical analyses of proteinaceous compounds associated with the formed bodies. In the present report the microscopic appearance of the formed bodies will be discussed, and the results of the chemical analysis will be presented.