AN OBSERVATION ON THE JUXTAGLOMERULAR APPARATUS OF TAIHE FOWL (GALLUS GALLUS DOMESTICUS)

The juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) in the kidney of Taihe fowl was examined with light and transmission electron microscopy. The results show: The JGA of Taihe fowl consisted of juxtaglomerular cells, transitional macula densa, extraglomerular mesangial cells and peripolar cells. The peripolar cells found for the first time in birds, were situated at the junction between the epithelium of visceral and the parietal layers of the Bowman's capsule, and surrounding the vascular pole of the glomerulus. They were attached to the basement membrane of Bowman's capsule, and their free surface was exposed to Bowman's space. Its structure was similar to that of the mammals. The relationship between the structure and function of the JGA of the fowl is discussed.