Glycogen distribution of germ cells and Sertoli cells of seminiferous tubules in Jindo dog

진도견 정세관의 정세포와 Sertoli 세포내 glycogen의 분포

In an effort to obtain basic data of carbohydrate metabolism during spermiogenesis of the sexually-matured Jindo dog, the glycogen distribution in the testis was investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy. Periodic acid thiocarbohydrazide silver proteinate physical development(PA-TCH-SP-PD) staining method provided better results in the detection of glycogen granules from Sertoli cells and germ cells than the periodic acid schiff(PAS) staining method did. Pre-treatment of the tissue sections with ${\alpha}$-amylase elicited a significant decrease in PA-TCH-SP-PD stained granules, which suggested that the stained granules were of glycogen origin. High concentration of the glycogen granules were observed in the Sertoli cells, especially in its column, sheet-like processes, club-like processes, and tubular processes. The glycogen granules were unevenly distributed in some Sertoli cell columns. These results strongly indicated that the Sertoli cells of Jindo dogs showed vigorous activity of carbohydrate metabolism.