A morphological and histochemical study of the reproductive system of the slug, Philomycus carolinianus (Bosc)

Abstract

Glycogen, determined by Best's carmine and/or PAS Tripas staining, and alkaline phosphatase, determined by the Gomori technic, occur together throughout the epithelium of the genital tract. Sites of high alkaline‐phosphatase activity are the acinar epithelium, nurse cells, and follicular cells of the ovotestis. Sperm heads are also strongly positive for the enzyme. The nidamental gland cells and the subepithelial mucous cells associated with the loop of the hermaphroditic duct and with the spermatic groove are thionine metachromatic, alcianophilic, PAS‐positive and amylase‐fast. The mucous cells of the genital atrium are PAS‐positive and amylase‐fast but lack both thionine metachromasia and affinity for Alcian blue.