Fine structure of the chromophobe in the pars distalis of the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina

Abstract

Chromophobes of the pars distalis in young Chelydra serpentina have sparse cytoplasm with no specific granules; however, many cytoplasmic filaments are present. The chromophobes are connected to the other cell types by desmosomes, while different types of junctional specializations occur between adjacent chromophobes. Cytoplasmic filaments traverse the cytoplasm in a random manner and terminate on both the junctional complexes and the nuclear envelope. It is proposed that, in addition to providing a structural framework, the chromophobes may be involved in integrating cellular responses of the parenchyma to changes in the endocrine milieu.