The morphological analysis of the Golgi apparatus by scanning electron microscopy
Abstract: The three-dimensional ultrastructure of the Golgi apparatus in different cells－epithelial principal cells in the epididymal duct, gonadotrophs in the pituitary gland, and dorsal root ganglion cells－was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of osmium-macerated tissues. The Golgi apparatus in the epididymal principal cells was shaped like a candle flame or cup with the cis-most cistern outside. In the gonadotrophs, flat cisterns of the Golgi apparatus were piled up concentrically to form a spherical structure with the cis-most cistern outside. The dorsal root ganglion cells had numerous small Golgi stacks, each of which was composed of several cisterns piled up in layers. At a higher magnification, the cis-most cistern was rather uniform in structure and was composed of a flattened cistern with numerous small fenestrations on its surface. On the other hand, the shape of the trans-most cisterns depended on the cell type, although it was basically composed of tubules and/or flattened plates which were sometimes connected with each other. The trans-most cistern was often associated with rER, but no direct connection was observed between them.
Key words: SEM, Golgi apparatus, three-dimensional ultrastructure, cis-most cistern, trans-most cistern