Abstract
The histologic and histochemical characteristics of the testis and epididymis in normal and hybrid ducks are described. Granules are present in the cytoplasm of the spermatocytes in all ducks; however, the amount is much greater in the sterile hybrid birds. These granules stain PAS positive and are diastase resistant. Associated with, or as a part of, these PAS positive granules are foci that stain positive for iron in some of the cells in the seminiferous tubules. This reaction, too, is more often present in the sterile hybrid than in the normal. Lipids are present in the spermatocytes and, likewise, in much larger amounts in the sterile hybrids than in the normals. PAS positive and diastase resistant granules are present in the tubules of the epididymis of all ducks. A majority of these granules also give a strongly positive reaction for iron. The amount of iron is greater in the sterile hybrids than in the normal ducks. Lipids are also present in the epididymis.