OVUM-LIKB BODIES IN THE TESTIS 559 



section is circular or very slightly compressed. The nuclei of 

 the peripheral cells are distinct and in some cases show a reticu- 

 late structure. Degenerative changes, however, are beginning 

 to appear in the more central cells, which show no nuclear 

 structure. The laminated basement membrane and its cells 

 are normal. 



Class B . — The more central epithelial cells are very 

 degenerate. A single layer of epithelium remains adherent 

 to the basement membrane. The cells of this layer are usually 

 spaced at fairly regular intervals round the wall of the tubule. 

 The cytoplasm is fragmentary and degenerate, but the nuclei 

 are distinct. The chromatic material in the nucleus is in the 

 form of irregular deeply-stained granules. The rest of the 

 epithelium has become loosened and is spreading into the lumen 

 as an irregular syncitium. The nuclei of the component cells 

 are in many cases indistinguishable, and the cytoplasm is 

 reduced to anastomosing threads. 



Class C. — Even the single layer of cells adhering to the 

 basement membrane is indistinguishable, and the basement 

 membrane itself is degenerate and is breaking down altogether 

 in places. The outlines of the tubules in cross-sections are most 

 irregular. The lumina are filled with cell detritus which is often 

 aggregated at one or more points into somewhat deeply -staining 

 irregular masses. These masses frequently contain globules 

 which adhere to one another giving the appearance of a minute 

 drop of emulsion surrounded by cellular matter. 



The most noteworthy features of the seminiferous tubules 

 occur in Classes B and C. These are remarkable deeply- 

 staining bodies which are often present in the lumina of the 

 tubules. They are always closely invested by a layer of 

 degenerate epithelial cells which might easily, at first sight, be 

 taken for a corona r a d i a t a . A more detailed account of 

 these structures and a discussion as to their nature will be 

 given later. 



Kete Testis . — The rete testis appears normal. The walls 

 of the vessels are composed of a single layer of cubical epithelial 

 cells resting on the surrounding fibrous tissue. The cell-limits 



Q q 2 



