From the cytological and the cytochemical obeservations on the Gil. vestibulares majores of the human female, the author obtained the following results.
By the means of the Azan stain or the allochrome stain, the socalled " Atraktosomen " are not demonstrated.
Nevertheless, the large bodies, which are visualized with the Heidenhain's iron hematoxylin stain after being fixed with Levi's solution, are presumably the so-called " Atraktosomen ".
The so-called " Atraktosomen " are probably composed mostly of polysaccharide. It is ascertained by the fact, that they are positive with the PAS reaction and negative with the Millon reaction, and are hardly coloured with the Hg-BPB stain. Besides, fine mitochondria with indistinct contour were well demonstrated, which may possibly transform into the " Atraktosomen ".
The excretory duct has also a s ecretory activity, and the nature of its secretion is rather different from that of the terminal portion.
The author expresses the most cordial thanks to Prof. T. Taniguchi for his valuable criticism. This study was pojected by Instructor M. I h n u m a.
View full abstract