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Zoology Publications from Victoria University of Wellington—Nos. 68, 69 and 70
Hermaphrodite duct
Hermaphrodite duct.
The tubular, convoluted hermaphrodite duct has a two-layered wall, composed of a thin outer connective tissue sheath closely applied to an inner layer of simple, low columnar ciliated epithelium (Fig. 6). The epithelial cells become taller as the duct nears the albumen gland, and the duct narrows appreciably. In mature animals taken during autumn, the duct is packed with sperm for most of its length, only the end near the albumen gland being clear (Fig. 7). A few scattered flask-shaped mucus cells are present in the epithelial wall.
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Fig. 6: Cross section of hermaphrodite duct, with ciliated cuboidal epithelium, and a packed mass of sperm in the lumen. PAS stain.
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Fig. 7: Cross section of hermaphrodite duct close to albumen gland. No sperm are present, the duct is narrowed and the epithelium is columnar rather than cuboidal. Masson's trichrome stain.