The Epoophoron of the Hen and the Transformation of its Epithelium Cells inside of the Interrenal- and Interstitial Cells

Summary

The tubuli of the epoophoron of few day old chicks are located between the suprarenal gland and the ovary. Their narrow cavity is blocked completely by cellular debris, cilia and microvilli and can scarcely be demonstrated by a normal light microscope. The epoophoron tubuli of the hen grows into the suprarenal gland and the ovary. Inside of the capsule of the suprarenal gland and at the borderline of the ovary’s marrow and cortex the transformation of the epoophoron tubuli into the interrenal nodules, respectively the interstitial nodules is taking place. Inside of the ovary of about 30% of the hens a transformation into cellular nodules can be observed around the hilus area. The epoophoron tubuli by these means present and additional source of steroid producing cells. These cells show a positive reaction for the presence of 3-β-ol-steroiddehydrogenase.

By the way of electro-optical findings differentiation between the wall epithelium of the epoophoron tubuli and the basal-, brush-edged-, glimmer-edgedand scion cells can be obtained. Cellular elements of the brush-edged as well as glimmer-edged cells are discharged. This incident clearly prooves the difference from apocrine secretion and is pronounced microdesquamation. The scion cells are the mother cells of the three types of cells and of all the transformation forms of cells. Within this transformation cell-enlargement, nucleus dislocation, rounding and smoothing of the nucleus’ membrane, multiplication and enlargement of the mitochondria, transformation into the tubuli-type multiplication of the smooth eR, enlargement of the Golgi-apparatus as well as formation of Lipoid-drops occurs. The transformative cells do not originate from the matured brush-edged and glimmer-edged cells, but from a transmutant form that owns only few microvilli or cilia.

By experimental application of hormones the proliferation and transformation will be stimulated. The effect of hormonal application can be intensified by surgical removal of the bursa fabricii. The interstitial nodules of the cortex and hilus as well as the interrenal nodules produce sex-steriods. Definition of the type of sex-steroid produced, can only be determined for the inter-hilus-cells. They are equivalent to the androgen producers.

The epoophoron especially of older hens is remarkable from the pathological point of view, because of its tendency towards tumorous degeneration accompanied by sexual conversion.