Fine structure of the parotid gland of Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungarus)

The parotid glands of Djungarian hamster were examined by the light and electron microscopy. The acinar cells contained acidophile granules and reacted with the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and stained slightly with alcian blue (AB); they were thought to be seromucous in nature. The acinar epithelia were composed of light cells, dark cells and specific light cells containing spheroid granules. Cytoplasmic crystalloids of moderate to high densities were observed in nearly all light cells. The intercalated duct cells were composed of light cells alone, and contained the granules of moderate density in the apical and supranuclear regions. The striated duct cells consisted of light and dark cells. The most of these cells contained small granules of low to high densities in the apical and supranuclear regions. Myoepithelial cells were detected around the acini, and nerve terminals were observed among the adjacent acinar cells. The parotid gland of Djungarian hamster revealed no histological differences between the sexes.