Abstract
The Sertoli cell of the lesser mouse deer, Tragulus javanicus, was examined using light and transmission electron microscopy. Similar to other ruminants, a multivesicular nuclear body (MNB) and laminated smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER) were observed in the lesser mouse deer Sertoli cell. The MNB was present within the Sertoli cell nucleus, and consisted of vesicles, irregular tubules and ribosome-like structures. It was infrequent in the lesser mouse deer, which differs from domestic ruminants. Vesicles and irregular tubules seem to contain some materials with low and/or middle electron density, and be surrounded by electron dense materials. The diameter of vesicles was between 30 nm and 180 nm. Since the MNB, though less developed compared to that of bulls and goats, was present even in the Sertoli cell nucleus of the primitive ruminant-lesser mouse deer, it should be a common structure of ruminant Sertoli cells.
