The lamina propria of vertebrate seminiferous tubules: a comparative light and electron microscopic investigation.

The lamina propria of the seminiferous tubules was compared by means of light and electron microscopy in specimens obtained from the following vertebrates: Mute swan, northern mallard, blackbird, grey short-tailed opossum, north american opossum, european rabbit, mouse, rat, golden hamster, mini pig, bull, llama, roebuck, horse, coati, cat, dog, java monkey, orang utan. The lamina propria consists of basal lamina, ground substance, collagen fibers, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts are characterized by myofilaments, dense patches and a basal lamina covering their plasmalemma. The layers of myofibroblasts always lie adjacent to the germinal epithelium, while the surrounding fibroblast layers are located peripherally.