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Figures 16–18; (16) The basal portion of the syncytium with digitiform projections (p) and the clear space (*) between them and the myoepithelial cells. Notice the myoepithelial cells nuclei (n) and the collagen fibrils. (17) Detail of the connective tissue between two neighbor alveoli, with myoepithelial cells (m) and collagen fibrils (c). (18) The basal portion of a syncytium with intricate projection labyrinth. Notice the syncytium nucleus with irregular outline (n). Scale bars: 18 = 1 μm, 16, 17 = 3 μm.
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Figures 3–10; Photomicrographs of histological sections of the male inguinal gland region of O. centralis. (3–6, 8) Histological sections stained with HE. 3) Section of skin from the peripherical region of the inguinal gland. Notice that only mucous glands are present. 4) Low magnification micrograph showing the presence of many syncytial glands (g), with arrows indicating the lateral limits of the inguinal gland. (4–6) Major magnifications of the glandular apical portion, with many melanocytes (m), mucous glands (mc) and myoepithelial cells (open arrows). Note the glandular ducts (dc). 7) Histological section submitted to PAS reaction. Notice that only some cells of the mucous glands (mc) exhibit a positive reaction (arrowheads). (8) Major magnification of the lateral base portion of the syncytium, with colloidal secretion (s) in syncytium cytoplasm. Note also a blood vessel in the connective tissue. (9) Methacrylate section treated with potassium permanganate and oxalic acid and stained with Nile blue. Notice the bleached melanocytes (m) and some syncytial cytoplasmic projections (*) through the glandular secretion (s). (10) Methacrylate section stained with toluidine blue. Notice the pale blue color of the secretion suggesting it is alkaline, contrasting with the dark blue color of the glandular syncytium (gs). (e) epidermis; (d) dermis; (black open arrow) myoepithelial cells; (c) blood cells. Scale bars: 5, 6, 8 = 10 μm, 3, 7, 9, 10 = 20 μm; 4 = 200 μm.
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Figures 1–2; Photographs of the lateral sides of a O. centralis male (1) and female (2). The dashed line marks the limit of the inguinal gland in males that are absent in females. Scale bars: 1 mm.
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Figures 11–15; Electron micrographs of the serous glands of the inguinal region. (11) Low magnification of the secretory syncytium with two visible nuclei (n) and also a sizeable cytoplasmic secretion aggregate (s). Notice the syncytium center (sc) filled with electron dense secretion and also the clear space (*) between syncytium basis and myoepithelial cells (m). Around the myoepithelial cells are some collagen fibrils (co). (12–13) Medium magnification of syncytium, where it is possible to notice some cytoplasmic secretion aggregate (s) and some regions of the cytoplasm with medium electron density (c). (14–15) Major magnifications of two large cytoplasmic secretion aggregate, with mixed portions of electron dense secretion (s) with medium electron density cytoplasm (c). (p) basal digitiform projections; (rer) rough endoplasmic reticulum. Sacale bars: 14, 15 = 1 μm, 12, 13 = 3 μm, 11 = 5 μm.
