Scanning electron microscopy of pure Kurloff cell suspensions. Observation of an extrusion process.

Scanning electron microscopy has been used to examine suspensions of Kurloff cells, which are present only in guinea pig. The cells are round with a surface characterized by uniformly distributed short stubby microvilli and some ridges. Some cells show one or more pores surrounded by a smooth margin, others a smooth globular expansion about 10 microns in diameter which may correspond to a Kurloff body undergoing exocytosis. The Kurloff body is released into the medium where it can exist freely. The surface of the free body and of the expansion display the same smooth appearance. Although the nature of the Kurloff cell remains unknown, this study provides further information concerning its morphology and describes an extrusion process not observed previously.