Structure of the female reproductive tract of the apple snail. II. Scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

The albumen gland of Pomacea paludosa, a prosobranch gastropod, contains two main ducts. The albumen gland duct consists of a single layer of secretory and non-secretory cells. The surface of the non-secretory cells is covered with cilia. Microvilli are associated with the luminal edges of the secretory cells. Globules of secretory products appear at the cell surfaces. The capsule gland duct coils through the albumen gland and is composed of two opposing faces each of two layers of cells. The upper layer consists of ciliated non-secretory cells and the microvilli covered necks of the goblet-shaped secretory cells. The bases of the secretory cells comprises the lower layer of cells. Differences in the arrangement of cellular processes and number exists between the duct epithelia.