MICROSCOPY Vol.43▶No.4 2008
■Lectures

The morphological analysis of the Golgi apparatus by scanning electron microscopy

Daisuke Koga and Tatsuo Ushiki

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