Abstract
The juxtaglomerular cells in the mouse were qualitative and quantitative morphologically studied by electron microscopy. Mice were sialoadenectomized at 60 days of age or gonadectomized at 25 or 60 days of age. For quantitative analysis, the volumic ratios of nucleus, specific granule, Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria to cell were stereologically obtained. In normal mice, the juxtaglomerular cells contained numerous specific granules. Most of the gran-ules contained homogeneous material and some contained small filamentous contents, although there were transitional forms between the two forms of granules. The Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum were usually poorly developed. In sialoadenectomized mice, the juxtaglomerular cells showed significant changes only in males and not in females. In males of which the submandibular glands were removed, the specific granules were decreased in amount 1 week after operation, but increased at 7 weeks. The Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum were well developed 1 and 7 weeks after operation. The granules with crystalline contents were often seen near the Golgi apparatus. In females, no significant changes were seen in the juxtaglomerular cells. In gonadectomized mice, the juxtaglomerular cells showed significant changes only in males, and no significant changes appeared in females. The functional structure of the juxtaglomerular cells was discussed particularly in relation to renin.
