[Ultrastructural cytochemistry of the mouse juxtaglomerular apparatus (author's transl)]

The ultrastructural cytochemistry of the mouse juxtaglomerular apparatus has been studied. The specific granules of the juxtaglomerular cells were found to be argentaphobic when ultrathin sections of araldite-embedded renal cortex were stained according to the periodic acid-thio-carbohydrazide-silver proteinate technique of Thiery. This technique revealed an abundant glycogen of type beta in the specific granules and in the cytosol of these cells. The rim of specific granules was positive when ultrathin sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed, glycol methacrylate-embedded kidneys were stained with phosphotungstic-hydrochloric acids at a low pH. A reaction was also shown by the cell coat, lysosomes, autophagolysosomes, residual bodies and part of the Golgi complex. These results indicate that the specific granules of the mouse juxtaglomerular apparatus contains glycoproteins that are glycosylated in the Golgi complex.