The ultrastructure of myocardial cells in the golden hamster Cricetus auratus.

Electron microscope studies of the myocardium of the golden hamster revealed that the primary T-tubules in ventricular and atrial myocytes are substantially wider than their counterparts in most other mammalian species. Another feature is the presence of numerous lipid bodies but these are not as closely apposed to mitochondria as in seal myocardial cells. General atrial myocardial cells in the hamster contain numerous electron-dense spherical granules but these are absent from cells of the nodal and conducting system; in regard to these latter features in hamster resembles most other mammals.