OVUM-LIKE BODIES IN THE TESTIS 563 



As is well known, it is rare to find more than one ovum in 

 a single Graafian follicle. It was significant also that a careful 

 search did not reveal one of these bodies in the interstitial 

 tissue. On considering these facts, and knowing that the semin- 

 iferous tubules were in process of atrophy, we came to the 

 conclusion that the bodies were degeneration products. Further 

 investigation provided what seems a series of stages in their 

 formation. These will now be described. 



(1) (PL 19, fig. 8) A quantity of cell detritus appears in the 

 lumen attached by protoplasmic threads to the epithelial 

 cells adhering to the basement membrane. No cell structure 

 is visible. On the left of the mass is an aggregation of deeply- 

 staining globules, each with a somewhat lighter central area. 

 The epithelium of the wall of the tubule is very degenerate, 

 only the nuclei of the peripheral cells being recognizable. 

 A small group of erythrocytes is seen in the lumen, the presence 

 of which is probably due to the rupture of a capillary in the 

 tubule wall. 



(2) (PL 19, fig. 9) In the upper right-hand corner of the 

 photograph is figured a tubule containing an aggregation of 

 cellular material which to the right forms a deeply-staining mass 

 similar to that described above. It is composed of four large 

 globules which appear to be coalescing. These are surrounded 

 by detritus the cellular nature of which is still apparent. The 

 cells lining the tubules are reduced to a narrow darkly-stained 

 layer fused to the basement membrane. 



(3) In the same illustration appears a single ovoid body in 

 a very degenerate seminiferous tubule. The body contains 

 a number of highly refractile granules and shows no concentric 

 structure. It is surrounded by protoplasmic debris displaying 

 little or no cell structure, except at one point where it is con- 

 nected with the wall of the tubule. The tubule itself is of very 

 irregular outline and the basement membrane appears to be 

 breaking down in places. 



(4) (PL 19, fig. 10) The tubule in this instance is less degenerate 

 than in the cases previously described. As usual, however, 

 only the peripheral layer of the epithelial cells is present. 



