Electron microscopic observations on the yolk sac of the Indian fruit bat, Rousettus leschenaulti (Desmarest)(Pteropidae)

Abstract

The yolk sac of the Indian fruit bat Rousettus leschenaulti is unique since during the course of development it become converted into a solid, richly vascular endocrine gland-like structure with both the endodermal and mesothelial cells undergoing substantial hypertrophy. The yolk sac is progressively drawn from the abembryonic (antimesometrial side) to the embryonic pole (mesometrial side) of the chorionic sac where in late stages it comes to rest against the placental disc. The endodermal cells become grouped into clusters of acinus-like structures surrounded by the columnar mesothelial cells; the yolk-sac lumen is in most instances obliterated. Individual endodermal cells are large in comparison to mesothelial cells. The endodermal cell population varies between cells with abundant agranular ER and areas devoid of organelles to others with dense cytoplasm containing stacks of granular ER. All endodermal cells have numerous mitochondria and a few lipid droplets. The mesothelial cells are columnar with either dome-shaped, pointed or flattened apices bearing numerous elongate microvilli; within these are parallel-arranged microfilaments. While the apical cytoplasm shows the presence of absorptive tubules. coated vesicles and caveolae, the basal cytoplasm contains a few small mitochondria. Some mesothelial cells contain lipid droplets in their basal cytoplasm. On structural bases it is postulated that the mesothelial cells are absorptive in function while the endodermal cells are synthetic and secretory.